MMRDA faces challenges in acquiring land for Mumbai Metro Line 6 stations

Mumbai, India (Metro Rail Today): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is facing significant hurdles in acquiring the necessary land to complete the Metro 6 project, which aims to connect Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli. While the Kanjurmarg depot land issues have garnered much attention, the planning agency is also grappling with securing over 3,000 square meters of railway land for constructing stations and installing girders for this crucial metro line.

Despite substantial progress on the elevated metro line, MMRDA is encountering difficulties in land acquisition at five key locations along the alignment. These critical areas include Jogeshwari (West), near IIT Bombay in Powai, Kanjurmarg, near the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), and Saki Vihar near Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

An MMRDA official mentioned, "All land acquisition discussions are at an advanced stage." The forest clearance for a 1,798 square meter plot of private land at the junction of the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and EEH is under process within the forest department. The MMRDA anticipates receiving this clearance by July 2024 and completing the necessary procedures.

Additionally, the MMRDA is in the process of acquiring 695 square meters of private land at Ghaswala Compound in Jogeshwari West. This acquisition is being finalized with the collector's office. At Saki Vihar station near L&T, efforts to shift high-tension (HT) power lines are ongoing, with necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) being sought from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other relevant authorities. The MMRDA is also addressing the resettlement and rehabilitation of affected hutments in the area.

For the IIT station on Metro 6, the MMRDA requires 346 square meters from the MTNL to construct one entry/exit point, while the remaining three entries and exits are under construction. Additionally, 248 square meters of land are needed from the defense ministry (navy) for the Kanjurmarg station. "The proposal is under consideration at the naval headquarters and is expected to be finalized within a month," stated another MMRDA official.

The Maharashtra government handed over 15 hectares of land for the construction of the Kanjurmarg Depot for Metro 6 in April 2023. In May 2023, the MMRDA sought an additional seven hectares for allied activities, which is still under consideration. The planning agency has already approved a contractor for the depot's construction at a cost of ₹509 crore. This project will include building a boundary wall, earthwork filling, constructing the workshop, inspection bay, stabling lines, an automatic washing plant, and an operations and control center.

The MMRDA has also submitted a proposal to lay girders over the railway lines of both Central and Western Railways. According to sources, all piling works have been completed, and pile cap excavation works are underway. Final design approvals are anticipated by October this year, after which the launching of the girders can commence, necessitating the implementation of mega blocks.

The 16-kilometer elevated Metro 6 line will traverse the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, connecting Vikhroli to Lokhandwala and intersecting above the railway tracks on both Central Railway and Western Railway. This line will be instrumental in reducing traffic congestion and providing a more efficient transit option for commuters. A total of 18 rakes of six cars each will be deployed for train operations on this corridor.

The MMRDA's ongoing efforts to secure the necessary land and complete the Metro 6 project underscore the complexities and challenges associated with urban infrastructure development. The successful completion of this project is expected to significantly enhance Mumbai's public transportation network, providing a vital link between key areas of the city.

As the MMRDA navigates through the final stages of land acquisition and construction approvals, the completion of the Metro 6 line will be a testament to the agency's persistence and commitment to improving Mumbai's urban transit infrastructure. The eventual operationalization of this line will not only alleviate traffic congestion but also contribute to the overall sustainability and efficiency of the city's transportation system.