Mumbai Metro to be operational by 2012: MMRDA

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) today said over 80% of work on the city's first metro has been completed and the line will be operational by 2012.

"Overall, more than 80% of the Metro 1 corridor has been completed and we expect the metro would be fully functional by 2012," Metropolitan Commissioner Rahul Asthana was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Mumbai Metro 1.

The 11.07-km Mumbai Metro 1 is being built by a consortium led by Anil Ambani group company, Reliance Infrastructure, which also has MMRDA and Veolia Transport as members.

The Rs 2,356-crore line is expected to give the much- needed east-west mass transport facility in the suburbs.

The line goes over the railway tracks near the Andheri station on Western Railway and the statement issued today said the "cooperative" railway authorities have granted approval for work on critical bridge at Andheri.

Some of the stations on the route like Jagruti Nagar and Airport Road are almost 95% complete, while other stations are 70-75% completed, it added.

Major equipment and machinery required for completing the project have already been delivered, it said.