In a significant development, the Bombay High Court (HC) has given a nod to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the Metro line 2B between DN Nagar and Mandale and Metro line 4 between Wadala and Kasarvadali in Thane.
With this, the top court squashed two Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by different entities challenging the height restrictions near Mumbai airport and alignment of the metro line. This also impacted the pace of the construction of both the lines.
Hurdles for Metro 2B:
The metro line 2B, which is the extension of metro 2A (Dahisar-DN Nagar), was under the scanner after a petitioner challenged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s decision to issue the non-objection certificate (NOC) issued pertaining to height restrictions near airport in Juhu.
Later, the MMRDA coordinated with the aviation authority regarding the reply of the PIL. The affidavit tendered in the court mentioned the details of the safety measures for the safety of the flyers and the airport. The MMRDA contended that the NOC was rightly issued, legally valid and in accordance with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for the Safeguarding of Airport Operation) Rules, 2015. It also explained the importance of the project.
Challenges for Metro Line 4:
It is pertinent to note that the work of Mumbai Metro line 4 (Wadala to Thane) is 49 per cent finished. The project got hit due to the COVID-19 lockdown and pending litigation related to land acquisition, as per the MMRDA.
However, now, the Bombay HC favoured the MMRDA’s construction of metro line 4.
Indo Nippon Chemical Company in 2018 and Shree Yashwant Co-operative Housing Society in 2019 filed writ petitions with the court stating that they were aggrieved by the alignment of Metro Line 4 and further said that the alignment was affecting their respective properties and that the entire execution and implementation of Metro was in violation of the statutory provisions, including the Land Acquisition done under MRTP Act, 1966.
They had sought compensation of about INR 301 crore on the basis of a private valuation report.
According to the MMRDA, in the Yashwant Society case, the project was delayed by 46 months and the cost escalation was around INR 1.2 crore. In the Nippon case, the project cost escalated by INR 80 lakh following a delay of 29 months.
Court while passing the judgement mentioned that the petitioners unnecessarily raised larger issues questioning the authority of MMRDA in implementing Mumbai Metro 4. The petitioners under the garb of protecting and enforcing private rights of their properties have made attempts to stall and delay public projects of immense importance and this deserves imposition of cost, the court added.
What is the delineation of line 2B?
Metro Line 2 is divided in two sections – 2A and 2B. Metro line 2A was fully operation earlier this year, which runs between Dahisar (East) and Andheri (DN Nagar).
Further, metro line 2B is an extension of the line 2A, which will run between DN Nagar and Mandale in Mankhurd.
Metro 2B is a 23.643-kilometer line with 20 stations being built at a cost of INR 10,986 crore. This line's depot will be built on 31 hectares of property in Mandale, Mankhurd.
The construction of this Metro line is split into two halves. The first phase of the project, which would connect DN Nagar and National College in Bandra, will be completed by the end of 2024.
Route of Line 4:
Metro Line 4 from Bhakti Park (Wadala) to Kasarvadavali (Thane) is 32.32 km. long elevated corridor with 30 stations.
It shall provide interconnectivity among the existing Eastern Express Roadway, Central Railway, Mono Rail, the ongoing Metro Line 2B (D N Nagar to Mandale), Metro Line 5 (Thane to Kalyan) and Metro Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli).
Length: 32.32 km
Status: Under Construction
Type: Elevated
Depot: Vikhroli (Godrej) – 15.50 hectares
Number of Stations: 32
Stations Names: Bhakti Park, Wadala TT, Anik Bus Depot, Suman Nagar, Siddharth Colony, Amar Mahal Junction, Garodia Nagar, Pant Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar, Shreyas Cinema, Godrej Company, Vikhroli, Surya Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Naval Housing, Bhandup Mahapalika, Bhandup, Shangrila, Dr Hedgewar Chowk, Mulund Fire Station, Maharana Pratap Chowk, Thane Teen Haath Naka, RTO Thane, Mahapalika Marg, Cadbury Junction, Majiwada, Kapurbawdi, Manpada, Tikuji-Ni-Wadi, Dongari Pada, Vijay Garden, Kasaravadavali
Estimated Cost: INR 14,549 cr
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