Citizens Demand That Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail Be Underground

Posted by ND on April 3, 2009

Most of citizens who will be effected by the Rs 8,200 crore Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail elevated corridor are demanding that this rail corridor must go underground too, to avoid displacement of people and property.

Sherley Singh, secretary of Juhu Scheme Residential Association , said “The aim of any project is to provide better transport system and improve citizens’ life standards. But if there is an elevated rail, it would cause lot of problems to the people. There should be underground rail . We would move the court and file Public Interest Litigation if our all attempts to convince MMRDA fail,”

 If the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) does not give in to their demands, they would move the court, said the citizens adding that they had even submitted an alternate plan to the agency.

Demanding an immediate stay on 27-km long elevated corridor, P K Das, an architect said, “The MMRDA should carry out a feasibility study for underground Metro rail and consider alternate proposal submitted by the citizens. The officials should also consider opinions of the citizens who are being affected by such proposals before taking any decision.”

S L Dhingra, professor in IIT Bombay, said that the cost of the project may double but a huge inconvenience can be prevented.

“Cost will be high for the entire underground rail route. But we should think about long-term benefits rather than short-term interests,” Dhingra said.

Demonstrations and protests will also be held if the MMRDA continues with its elevated rail plan, said Shyama Kulkarni, chairman of H/W civic ward citizens association.

MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawathkar told a news agency that they would study the alternate plan of the citizens and accordingly take appropriate decision.

“But if their demands are considered the project may be delayed by a few years. In fact elevated corridor plan was suggested by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.”

“The project aim is to provide maximum benefits to the public. If they are facing any problem we will surely look into it,” he added.

http://news.inchembur.com/2009/04/03/citizens-demand-that-charkop-bandra-mankhurd-metro-rail-be-underground/