With Mahalaxmi Racecourse unfeasible for the car depot, the MMRDA is looking for space in Kalina and BKC
With Mahalaxmi Racecourse unfeasible for the car depot, the MMRDA is looking for space in Kalina and BKC
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WITH the fate of the proposed Metro car depot under the Mahalakshmi Racecourse remaining unclear, the MMRDA has started scouting for suitable locations in Kalina and the Bandra-Kurla-Complex (BKC).
One of the locations being considered is the sprawling Mumbai University campus at Kalina, where an underground depot could come up.
If all goes as planned, the Kalina University will house the car depot
Speaking to MiD DAY, MMRDA Commissioner Rahul Asthana said, "We had zeroed in on the racecourse as an ideal location for the depot but we have learnt that the horse stables there come under Grade II heritage sites and construction is not possible.
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We have already started looking for alternative locations." The depot is being constructed for the Charkop-Bandra line, which is part of the third Metro corridor.
A senior MMRDA official said, "There is a possibility of constructing the car depot under the Mumbai University campus at Kalina and we also have a location at BKC in mind."
He replied in the negative, however, when he was asked whether the MMRDA had spoken to university officials regarding the same.
The MMRDA is also considering constructing the Colaba-Bandra line completely underground.
"The metro will be underground from Colaba to Mahalakshmi as it is, and we are working out a plan to have the complete corridor underground," said Asthana.
This is in line with the MMRDA's earlier plans, which had to be given up due to the prohibitive cost of Rs 12,000 crore.
The Centre was reluctant to provide the viability gap funding of over Rs 8,500 crore which was needed for the project.
The MMRDA had then decided to have a section of the route underground and the remaining elevated.
Now, however, the MMRDA is planning to approach international financial institutions to meet the shortfall. The Japanese International Co-operation Agency has reportedly shown keen interest in the project.
Rs 12,000 cr
The estimated cost of constructing the entire Charkop-to-Bandra Metro corridor underground
In the past
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was to change the horse stable reservation at Mahalaxmi Racecourse for the construction of the underground Metro and monorail parking shed at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai.
The MMRDA was to develop an underground car shed in 17 hectares at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
This car shed facility was created for the Metro project III that will connect Colaba, Mahim and Bandra. The route from Colaba to Mahim will be underground and the Mahim to Bandra Metro will be elevated.
It will consist of Mantralaya, Churchgate, Mahalaxmi, Worli and Mahim stations and this same line will be extended up to the Airport.
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