Mumbai Metro Phase I Restoration Nearing Completion
The Mumbai Metro construction has brought significant improvements to the city’s infrastructure. After the completion of Phase I of the Metro 3 station work, most of the road sections that were temporarily used have now been restored. This development brings relief to commuters, especially in areas like Marol, Santacruz, and BKC, which were the most impacted among the 10 stations in this phase.
Restoration Efforts
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has been actively working towards restoring the road network. Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRCL, explained that old facilities such as street furniture and pavements are being reinstated along with the removal of road barricades. The roads along the Aarey-BKC stretch have already been restored, and similar efforts are underway for the remaining route from Dharavi to Cuffe Parade.
Challenges at BKC
While progress has been made in road restoration, the construction work at BKC presents specific challenges. Ongoing civil work has slowed the efforts, but improvements are being made gradually. The MMRCL plans to replace the steel deck at BKC with a concrete surface, and this process is expected to take around two to three weeks. Nonetheless, traffic flow in the area has shown noticeable improvements despite the ongoing construction.
Construction Impact and Approach
The construction of the 33.5 km underground Metro 3 corridor involved the use of the cut-and-cover method and other advanced technologies across 19 stations. This construction approach impacted around 11 km of roadways, affecting a total of 97,000 square meters of road surface. The method employed by MMRCL involves excavating sections of roads, which are then reinstated once the work is completed.
MMRCL made efforts to minimize disruptions to the city’s road network. However, there were some areas where roadblocks were necessary to create shafts for launching tunnel boring machines. In Phase II of the project, roadwork in Girgaum is at a critical stage due to a delayed start. In Worli, road handover has been delayed due to multiple underground utilities, particularly along Acharya Atre Marg. Bhide assured residents that the civil work for Phase II is expected to be completed by December, followed by the phased restoration of the roads.
Commitment to Residents
To alleviate concerns, Bhide emphasized that all trees removed during construction would be replanted at their original locations near each station. Additionally, the facilities provided outside the stations will be maintained by Metro 3, ensuring uninterrupted service for commuters and a positive impact on the environment.
The Mumbai Metro Phase I restoration is nearing completion, offering new possibilities for smooth transportation for the residents of the city. As the MMRCL continues to strive for excellence in both construction and restoration, the metro network will play a vital role in enhancing Mumbai’s infrastructure and uplifting the lives of its residents.
