Expect traffic snarls to continue until December 2019 on the Western Express Highway (WEH) and Link Road due to delay in Metro construction work. Further delay in construction work means barricades set up for the purpose will continue to exist on the roads.
There is a possibility that contractors working for the two Metro corridors on the WEH and Link Road are expected to be given a second extension for civil construction work that started in October 2016.
In case of Link Road, the construction for Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro-2A corridor is being undertaken by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and on WEH, construction for Dahisar East-Andheri East Metro-7 is being undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
According to an MMRDA official, "We have still completed around 60 per cent civil works for both the Metro work and still, at many places, there are issues relating to land acquisition and pending tree cutting permission. However, wherever the work is completed we have already removed the barricades and installed the dividers."The MMRDA official added, "However, the earlier extension given earlier this year will end around June and we may have to extend the same by another six months."
Earlier this year, contractors were given six months extension till June 2019 due to delay in construction completion but MMRDA officials feel another extension would have to be given for civil construction work to be completed.
Further, apart from civil works, contract for designing of Metro stations, installation of ticketing machines, track laying and power supply unit have already been awarded. Out these, track laying work is expected to start in another two months.
Meanwhile, commercial operations on both Metro corridors connecting Dahisar and Andheri is expected to start by the end of 2020 for which the trains are being manufactured. The delivery of the same will start in June 2020. Post this, approval will be taken from safety commissioner for the trial run that will take at least six months to complete.
Root Of Problem
Further delay in Metro construction work means that barricades set up for the purpose will continue to exist on the roads and hence, the traffic snarls
