MMOPL's dim view of lights under metro irks MMRDA

Taking a serious note of the absence of lights under the ongoing construction of metro stations along the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor, the Mumbai Metro-politan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will now write a letter to Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) asking them to install lights at the earliest. The move comes after the accident at Marol's metro station on Tuesday where lights under the station were non-existent.

Dark night: Non-existent street lights below the JP Road metro station in Andheri (W). File Pic

"We are unhappy with MMOPL and their contractors' way of doing things. We will raise the recent mishap issue in the emergency board meeting that has been called on Monday. MMOPL is a major stakeholder in the VAG metro project, while MMRDA's stake is less. But, because of recent incidents, MMRDA's name is unnecessarily getting tarnished," said a senior MMRDA official, on condition of anonymity.

"We have informed MMOPL to install lights under metro stations along the VAG corridor so that motorists don't suffer owing to low visibility while driving," said MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawathkar.

Presently, motorists face a lot of difficulty driving along the 11.07 km thoroughfare at night, as most locations don't have lights, which not only increases the chances of pedestrian accidents, but also collision between vehicles.

Two months back, MiD DAY had highlighted the problem motorists faced in a report (‘No lights + wet roads = recipe for disaster', July 7) wherein it was brought to light that contractors were taking a dim view of the predicament.

Soon after the article was published, a senior MMRDA official had informed MMOPL to ensure proper lighting along the corridor. However, it was observed that lights were still not installed and wherever lights were installed, they were hardly emitting any light, as they were tube lights.

"We will inform MMOPL to install lights at the earliest so that motorists are not inconvenienced," said Additional Metropolitan Commissioner SVR Srinivas.

The other side
"As per the agreement with the contractors constructing the station structures, the contractors are required to undertake all safety precautions, which also includes providing emergency lights at the sites. Nevertheless to say, the review has already been initiated at all sites so as to comply with the requirement. Any failure noticed in this regard, will be suitably escalated with the respective contractor," said an official from MMOPL. u00a0