Even though the construction of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro line seems to be nearing completion, it is unlikely that the seventh deadline of opening the line to the public will be met. The latest deadline was set for August 2013.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials said the line will be open to the public only in December 2013.
“Overcoming the various ground challenges, around 99% of the structure is complete,” said a spokesperson for Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), the consortium constructing the first metro line. However, the work on the stations is far for being complete.
While the Versova and Chakala stations are nearly ready, only half the work at Asalfa station is done. “If Asalfa station is not ready by the year end, the metro will not halt; it will just slow down,” an MMRDA official said.
According to information RTI activist Anil Galgali received, an average of 76% of the work has been completed at the stations. An update from MMOPL said that while 10 trains are ready to be run, six others will arrive this month. To roll these trains out, operation and maintenance staff are being trained.
With all the hurdles of the project cleared, MMOPL plans to charge the overhead electrical systems from March 22. The first phase to get charged with 25,000 volts of alternating current will be the line between Versova and Navrang Theatre in Andheri (W).
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