NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Mumbai Metro is the most complex and difficult railway project in the world; because it extends throughout Mumbai and 24 percent of the metro is underground, says Executive Director (Civil) at Mumbai Metro Phase Three C.M. Gadhav. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries media delegation visited the Mumbai Metro project site, during which Ghadav disclosed that it is aimed at reducing traffic jam in the city and easing the pressure on Mumbai railway network. He said the project has three phases that should be implemented within 15 years, indicating the target completion date for the whole project is October 2026.

He added that Mumbai Metro is the sixth longest metro in India; spanning 356.972 kilometers, while 24 percent of the metro is underground. He pointed out that the cost of expanding Mumbai Metro reached $14.43 billion. He conducted a presentation on the most advanced technology used to design and execute the project; as well as the engineering challenges, such as the residential areas where the metro goes through. He revealed there have been several meetings with the residents who were compensated and relocated to other modern residential areas. He affirmed the historic buildings where the tunnels go underneath were preserved well, owing to their historic and iconic value. Gadhav said Mumbai Metro is considered a huge leap for the financial capital of India. The foundation stone of the first phase of the project was laid in June 2006 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh; but the actual work started some years later — in February 2008

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff