Mumbai Metro: Cost Sharing Dispute Between MMRDA, Mumbai Port Trust Hits ‘Metro 11’ Project Connecting GPO-Wadala

Differences over cost-sharing for the metro 11 project planned as an extension of Metro 4 from Wadala to GPO south can cause a delay, Times of India has reported. The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) prefers an underground metro line. It has requested for this option as it does not want to part with its land.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has asked the port to bear the higher cost of taking the 4-kilometre line underground. Metropolitan Commissioner R A Rajeev said that MMRDA will ask for the cost difference between an underground metro line and an elevated corridor from MbPT. Cost of underground metro per kilometre is Rs 1000 crore whereas, elevated metro costs Rs 300 crore per kilometre.

MbPT chairman Sanjay Bhatia told Times of India that the two bodies would find a way out, but the line will have to go underground. He added the port trust has plans to develop its land as a recreation spot. Mr Bhatia said that MbPT has no spare funds and MMRDA has to wait if it wants the extra cost to be paid for the metro line.

The port trust has 390 acres of land in its possession. It has allocated 75 per cent of the land for open spaces and streets.