The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) recently disclosed the station-wise report where it was found that three stations, namely Girgaon, Kalbadevi and Acharya Atre on the underground Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) have less than 15 per cent of work completed. At Kalbadevi and Girgaon, only 7.5 per cent of the work has been completed. At Acharya Atre station, 14 per cent of work has been done.
According to a report by FPJ, the work has been affected at Girgaon and Kalbadevi as a consequence of extensive rehabilitation and resettlement issues. MMRCL spokesperson, speaking to FPJ, stated that the work at Acharya Atre is sequenced is a different way with tunnelling being driven through the station up to Worli before excavation.
Meanwhile, a lot of citizens have been expressing concerns over the construction of car sheds. Earlier, the construction of a car shed at Aarey had received widespread criticism. Zoru Bhatena, an activist, had challenged the depot in Aarey stating that the ground at Aarey is a Mithi river floodplain, besides stating that the Aarey is also a forest.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Aarey administration had earlier in June, in a counter-affidavit filed in the Supreme Court stated that the forests in Goregaon are part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). This is the first time any state body had put on record that Aarey is adjacent to the national park. This statement sheds light on the fact that while Aarey is not an authorized forest, all the actions against encroachments and tree felling were taken up in ‘forest areas’.
Meanwhile, MMRCL has also declared that the Metro Line 3, also named as aqua line, will be commissioned in two phases. The deadline of the first phase Aarey Colony to Airport is December 2021, while the second phase up to Cuffe Parade will be open by mid-2022.