Partial opening of Navi Mumbai Metro by December: CIDCO chief

Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, vice-chairman and MD of CIDCO

The Navi Mumbai Metro will have the smallest trains - with three cars, expandable to six coaches - in the state. The trials for this Metro line are being conducted by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and its partial opening may happen as early as December. In an exclusive interview with mid-day, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, vice-chairman and MD of City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), shone a light on the progress made so far. He said the Navi Mumbai Metro will be linked to three railway stations, including two from the local network, for seamless integration. Excerpts from the interview.

The crucial RDSO update is a positive development on Metro trials. This shows the readiness of the project. Is civil work on the entire 11.1-km stretch of phase one complete?
CIDCO has appointed Maha Metro for the balance works of Metro Line 1 from Belapur to Pendhar. The work of main viaduct, depot approach viaduct, depot-cum-workshop is completed. Station works, lifts, escalator, furniture and systems work are in progress. Recently, RDSO conducted an oscillation trial and emergency breaking distance trial from Pendhar to Central Park, a distance of 5.14 km.

What is the status of stations, depot and other related infra of phase one? Is it being linked to the suburban railway stations?
The development work of stations is nearing completion. There will be a link at Belapur station and Kharghar stations of suburban railway at Metro station 1 and 3, respectively. In addition, Taloja station on the CR's Diva-Panvel line as a possible link to Konkan Railway.

We have very small three-car trains running (the smallest Metro in the state) whereas Metros in Mumbai are six- and eight-car trains. Is there a scope for expansion of platforms, in case we need to increase coaches later or make seamless connectivity with Mumbai Metro trains?
A three-car train will be sufficient for the current needs with peak 8-minute frequency, which can be enhanced to 3 minutes to cater to more passengers. The 3-car configuration will be possible to be augmented to a 6-car one depending on requirements at a later date and related infrastructure for the same is ready.

What is the date of commissioning that we are broadly looking at? Will the line be commissioned in parts or will you throw open the entire stretch at one go?
After the RDSO certifies the oscillation trials as successful, we will have the Comissioner of Railway Safety inspections and trials. This shall be followed by the Railway Board's approval. After these regulatory clearances, we shall be able to start commercial operations. Hence, We expect the passenger services of Station 7 to 11 of Line 1 (Phase 1 of the project) to start by this year end and station 1 to 6 by next year end.

What about the other three phases of Navi Mumbai Metro? Any colour codes for various lines?
The proposal for cost-sharing of Metro lines 2 and 3 as well as the work permission has been put forth for the approval of the government of Maharashtra. Once the state government or Government of India accords approval, the same will be taken up.

Any other quick status update on other key infra projects like Navi Mumbai airport and its time frame of commissioning?
Due to the pandemic and prolonged lockdown, the Navi Mumbai Airport project was slightly affected. At present, it has gained pace and actual development work of the airport has begun. Similarly, the NAINA project and the 2nd phase of the Nerul-Uran railway are also in full swing. Nerul Jetty is nearing completion and will soon be in service of the citizens. CIDCO had recently launched a housing scheme for COVID warriors and uniformed personnel. The corporation will further announce a mass housing scheme for citizens, at strategic locations in Navi Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai Metro

. Line-1: CBD Belapur - Pendhar
. Length: 11.1 km
. Type: Elevated
. Depot: Taloja
. Number of Stations: 11
. Station names: CBD Belapur, Sector 7, CIDCO Science Park, Utsav Chowk (Khargar), Sector 11, Sector 14, Central Park, Pethpada, Sector 34, Panchanand and Pendhar