Setback to Mumbai elevated rail corridor project

People of Mumbai have to wait for more time for the Churchagate-Virar elevated rail corridor as the project is being reworked, a move seen as a setback to the ambitious project.
It has been decided to conduct a fresh traffic study of the Mumbai elevated rail corridor and any further decision would be taken only after the study, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project.
The Rs 20,000 crore elevated rail corridor project is part of the Rs 1 lakh crore infrastructure project which has been short-listed by the steering group set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to accelerate growth in infrastructure.

The rail project was discussed at a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and it was decided to conduct the traffic study of the route again, said the official adding "this is a setback as it will further delay the project for an indefinite period."
While RITES has already done the traffic study of the 60-km long Churchgate-Virar elevated corridor, the request for quotation (RFQ) for the Rs 20, 000 crore project was slated to be closed on Novemeber 29 after third extension.
There are a total of eight major players, including Reliance Infrastructure, Gammon, L&T, ILFS and GMR, which have shown interest in the project.

According to the official, Maharashtra government has reservations over the project and without the state's participation the project cannot go further.

The state government has a major role to play in the project as shifting of utilities along the alignment is its responsibility.
Since a new Mumbai Metro line is also being planned on the same alignment, the state government seems to be not keen on the project and accordingly sought a fresh study of the traffic pattern.
"It was agreed that a fresh traffic study would be conducted taking into account the traffic capacity being created by the new Mumbai Metro line which is partially on the same alignment. The modalities on moving ahead with the project would also be finalised soon after that," said a statement issued by the PMO after the review meeting.