Railways clear Mumbai Metro line crossing

A major hurdle in the construction of Rs 2,356-crore first corridor of Mumbai Metro on the Varsova-Andheri-Ghatkopar route has been removed with the railways agreeing to take their proposed elevated corridor between Mumbai Central and Virar above the Mumbai Metro’s elevated structure that will cross the railway line at the Andheri station.

A senior official from the state government’s urban development ministry told Business Standard: “The issue was settled during a meeting called by Chief Secretary Johny Joseph that was attended by the Western Railway chief engineer (bridges) and other senior officials.”

It was brought to the notice of railway authorities that constructing a metro bridge over the railway corridor would prove to be too steep for the metro railway to cross. Besides, it was also brought to their notice that work on the metro railway was in advance stages, whereas work of the elevated railway corridor was only at the planning stage.

It may be recalled that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had announced to develop the elevated corridor between Mumbai Central and Virar in his Railway Budget speech earlier this year.

Subsequently, a feasibility study was ordered, following which the railway authorities withheld their final clearance to the Mumbai Metro line at Andheri station.