Metro 6 Expansion Stalled MMRDA Struggles with Land Acquisition

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) encounters significant challenges in acquiring land necessary for the expansion of its Metro 6 project.

Despite substantial progress on the elevated metro line, MMRDA faces hurdles in securing land at multiple crucial locations along the proposed route. The agency’s struggle is evident as it endeavors to procure railway land spanning over 3,000 square meters, essential for station setup and girder installation along the Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli corridor. While considerable headway has been made, MMRDA grapples with land acquisition at five pivotal sites, including Jogeshwari (W), IIT Bombay vicinity in Powai, Kanjurmarg, Eastern Express Highway (EEH), and Saki Vihar near Larsen & Toubro. An MMRDA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that ongoing discussions regarding land acquisition are at an advanced stage. Notably, forest clearance for a plot of 1,798 square meters near Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and EEH is anticipated by July 2024, pending procedural formalities with the forest department.

Further complicating matters, MMRDA is engaged in negotiations for private land parcels, including 695 square meters at Ghaswala Compound in Jogeshwari West. Meanwhile, efforts to relocate high-tension power lines at Saki Vihar station near L&T are underway, necessitating NOCs from relevant authorities, including the BMC. The challenges extend to infrastructure dependencies, with MMRDA seeking land for entry/exit points and station constructions. Notably, requisitioning 346 square meters from MTNL for the IIT station underscores the complexity of coordinating with various stakeholders. Similarly, land requirements from the defense ministry (navy) for the Kanjurmarg station are under review.

While the Maharashtra government allocated 15 hectares for the Kanjurmarg Depot in April 2023, additional land requests for allied activities are pending consideration. MMRDA has initiated depot construction, including boundary walls, workshops, and operational facilities, with a contracted cost of ₹509 crore. Moreover, girders laying over railway lines awaits final design approvals, with completion anticipated by October. Once approved, girder launching will commence, necessitating coordinated mega blocks to minimize disruptions. The Metro 6 expansion, spanning 16 kilometers, promises enhanced connectivity along the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, intersecting major railway corridors. However, ongoing land acquisition challenges underscore the complexities of urban infrastructure development and highlight the imperative for streamlined regulatory processes and stakeholder collaboration.