Gauging trouble: Standard or broad is the question

Metro Rail - Mumbai's most ambitious project - is facing its biggest hitch with the Union urban development (UD) ministry. The project has got stuck at a crucial phase, with the ministry undecided whether it should be standard or broad gauge. Realising the UD's dilemma, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has asked all three consortiums shortlisted for Phase I to give two separate bids - one for broad gauge, the other for standard.

"Though the standard gauge will be cheaper by 10 per cent, there is a reluctance to change from the broad gauge. There is still a cushion of three months and we hope the final decision will ensure that the final bidder is not inconvenienced. Moreover, this will also prevent any further delay in the project," says an MMRDA official.

The MMRDA is banking on the fact that all three other metro rail projects - Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad - are on standard gauge. The authorities have ruled out suggestions that the metro should be integrated with the existing suburban system, which is broad gauge.

"Inter-operations cannot take place since both systems are totally different. Metro rail is state-of-the-art speedy transport, with a unique signal and ticketing system. Instead of inter-operations, physical transfer of passengers can be done," explains G R Madam, director, MRTS, MMRDA.

Helping the Special Purpose Vehicle to execute the project soon, the MMRDA is also acquiring 14 hectares of land for car sheds of the metro rail at its own cost and would offer the same to the SPV at a concession.

Hope lurks

The MMRDA is banking on the fact that all other proposed metro rail projects - Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad - are on standard gauge.