Navi Mumbai delinks from Metro with cheaper alternative

Navi Mumbai has scaled down its Metro project into an electric trolley-bus system, known as Metro Neo. This, in one stroke, isolates the satellite city of Navi Mumbai from any future Metro rail connections with the upcoming Maha Mumbai Metro network being developed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and has broken the link for any future expansion.

Seamless Metro rail connectivity with Navi Mumbai will be a crucial link once the new airport comes up. The decision has received widespread criticism, but CIDCO officials said it has been done with the cost factor in mind as Metro Neo is economical.

The Metro Neo, a trolley bus system with overhead electric traction and rubber tyres, has the capability of being upgraded to a light metro system. While work on the 11-km stretch of Line 1 of Navi Mumbai Metro is nearing completion after 12 years, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has announced that future lines will not be traditional Metro rail lines, but a Metro system.

Also Read: Mumbai: Central Railway TCs get bodycams, QR code payment system

"As we complete the work of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, and await the final statutory clearance of CMRS, here's an update about Lines 2, 3 and 4 that we plan to undertake. CIDCO has approved implementation of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 2, 3 and 4 with modified mode of transport viz. Metro Neo in place of the standard gauge Metro," vice-chairman and managing director of CIDCO Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, said.

Explaining further, a CIDCO note said, "Metro Neo is a rubber tyre bi-articulated electric trolley-bus powered by an overhead traction system. Metro Neo is an innovative transport system, designated for cities that have a population of up to 20 lakh. It is a seamless, fast, reliable and cost-effective Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS). It will provide travel experience of international standards at par with Metro systems," a CIDCO official said.

"It is an articulated/bi-articulated trolleybus system with overhead electric traction. The buses will be air conditioned with automatic door closing system, level boarding, comfortable seats, passenger announcement and information system with electronic display. Metro Neo coaches are smaller and lighter than conventional Metro trains. It is a state-of-the-art, comfortable, energy efficient, minimal noise pollution and environment friendly system," it explained.

"It is an innovative and pioneering project in India and will be the first MRTS to run on Rubber Tyres. Navi Mumbai Metro Project is also being developed as a part of Metro Neo MRTS," it added.

‘Erratic decision'

"Such erratic decisions must be studied by CM War Room. Metro Neo is best suited for cities with a population below 15 lakh. Navi Mumbai Metro is a case study of ‘How not to build a Metro'. I condemn this decision of CIDCO and government of Maharashtra," an infra expert said.

"Seamless, fast, reliable and cost-effective, but also largely inadequate for a growing city with a forthcoming massive airport. CIDCO needs to do more, do better. Navi Mumbai isn't a Tier-III city. It's much bigger than what trolleybuses can offer," another infra observer Arjun Mohan said.