MUMBAI: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) has begun preliminary work on the Metro 11 underground corridor which will connect Wadala to Regal Cinema. They have decided to appoint an agency for a geo-technical survey of the proposed route.
MMRCL, which successfully executed the 33.5km Metro 3 corridor, is leading this project as well. Initially planned to run between Wadala and CSMT, the route has been revised to better serve the city’s needs.
MMRCL’s Director (Planning), R Ramanna, stated that tenders have been issued for the geo-technical survey, which is vital for the Detailed Project Report (DPR). This data will assist in designing structures and selecting appropriate construction methods to minimise damage to existing buildings.
The survey involves drilling boreholes at 500-metre intervals along the twin tunnels’ alignment, with depths ranging from 10 to 20 metres and beyond, depending on the site.
The route will connect Wadala to the Eastern waterfront, passing through Byculla, Bhendi Bazar, Crawford Market, and ending at S P Mukherjee Chowk (Regal Cinema Circle).
The revised route is designed to serve high-density areas and commercial districts better than the previous alignment, which ran parallel to the Harbour line and did not fully utilise ridership potential. The new route crosses major railway lines, including the Harbour and Central Railway lines, and will pass through busy areas, such as Byculla.
The terminal at S P Mukherjee Chowk is expected to attract many commuters, including tourists visiting the Gateway of India and shoppers from Colaba’s markets. The route’s passage through densely populated and heritage areas necessitates careful planning to minimise disruptions.
With the introduction of this metro line, the reliance on buses and taxis in the CSMT-Ballard Pier-Colaba area is expected to significantly diminish, offering a more efficient and cost-effective transportation alternative, particularly in congested areas like Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar. Also, the Crawford Market area is a good catchment area due to the presence of the oldest and busiest retail and wholesale markets.
The Metro 11 project is estimated to cost Rs 16,000 crore. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has said that once the project receives approval, it can begin discussions and due diligence to fund this project.
