Mumbai: Traffic woes to prolong as Metro contractors get extension

Traffic woes for commuters on Western Express Highway (WEH) and Link Road are not expected to end anytime soon, as Metro civil works on these stretch are delayed by at least six months. Following which, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has given an extension of around six months for contractors involved in the construction of Dahisar East Andheri-East Metro-7 corridor. Along with this, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is also going to give an extension of six months to the civil contractor for Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro-2A corridor on Link Road.

Trial runs on both these line is expected to start by the year-end enabling it to start commercial operations from early next year. An MMRDA official said, "We have given them time till June 2019 for completing the civil construction work on WEH Metro corridor." While a DMRC official said, "In case of Metro-2A, the 30 months period is to get over by January 2019, and the contractor will get an extension of around six months due to delay in the carrying out of civil works."

The DMRC official added, "The major reason behind the extension of the construction period is because the identification of utilities was a very tedious task for contractors in the city. Also, we are yet to get land in some areas like Andheri, Dahisar for conducting Metro civil works, and hence the delay."

The MMRDA has divided the civil construction of Metro-7 into three phases and had appointed three contractors in May 2016 giving them 30 months of construction period. While for Metro-2A, it had appointed DMRC for carrying out civil construction that in turn appointed a contractor for the same. Both these Metro corridors are expected to carry around 10 lakh passengers daily between Andheri and Dahisar. Further, the MMRDA has also proposed to extend Metro-7 corridor till Bhayander and Aiport on the south end.

Meanwhile, on Saturday MMRDA announced appointment of contractors for various electrical and mechanical systems on the 18.5-km long Dahisar to DN Nagar Metro-2A, 23.5-km long DN Nagar to Mankhurd Metro-2B and 16.5-km long Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East) Metro-7 corridors.

CONTRACTORS APPOINTED FOR SYSTEMS

Meanwhile, on Saturday, MMRDA announced appointment of contractors for various electrical and mechanical systems on Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro-2A, DN Nagar-Mankhurd Metro-2B and Andheri (East)-Dahisar (East) Metro-7 corridors