Finally, the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro rail has received safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) on Friday. It now awaits the Railway Board's formal nod to open the services for public.
"CMRS has given his clearance for Metro One. Clearance of rolling stock from the Railway Board is still awaited. Metro will be opened after the final clearance of Railway Board on rolling stock," said UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
This has paved way for the 11.4km-long metro system to open later this month. The route will reduce travelling time between Versova and Ghatkopar from the current 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
A spokesperson from Mumbai Metro One Private Limited said, "We are happy to announce that CMRS, after carrying out intensive safety inspections, has given its sanction for opening the line. We shall open the line for commercial usage within seven days of Railway Board's rolling stock approval."
