Mumbai Metro: MMRDA Alters Metro Line-5 Design, Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro Portion To Be Underground

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has modified the Phase-II design of the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro Line-5 between Bhiwandi and Kalyan suburbs.

The revised design places a segment of the route underground between the Bhiwandi and Kalyan Metro stations.

The underground section will be 3.5 kilometres long at Dhamankar Naka-Temghar and will then emerge to be elevated for the remaining 9.67 kilometres up to Kalyan Railway Station and the Kalyan APMC.

The MMRDA has sent the revised design of Line-5 (Orange Line) to the Maharashtra government for validation and approval.

“Between Bhiwandi and Kalyan, the part of the metro alignment runs through Bhiwandi, Temghar, Rajnouli, Gonve Gaon, Kon Gaon, Lal Chowki, Kalyan and Kalyan APMC. The entire corridor will be elevated except for the portion between Temghar and Bhiwandi,” reports Free Press Journal. 

After MMRDA encountered stiff resistance from locals who would be impacted by the project between the Bhiwandi and Temghar areas, this engineering alteration was made.

In the second phase, the revised engineering plan calls for eight metro stations, seven elevated and one underground. The first phase contains nine stations between Thane and Bhiwandi.

By moving the metro line underground, the total number of project-affected families will be reduced.

The MMRDA has begun the process of appointing a consultant for Phase II, following which it will solicit offers for civil works.

The overall cost of both stages is projected to be around Rs 8,416 crore. Approximately 60 per cent of civil works between Thane and Bhiwandi have been completed thus far.

A 470m vehicular underpass is also proposed near the Dhamankar Naka flyover in Bhiwandi.

Metro Line - 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan)

Metro Line 5 from Thane to Bhiwandi to Kalyan is 24.90 km long elevated corridor with 15 stations.

It will provide interconnectivity among the ongoing Metro Line 4 (Wadala to Kasarvadavli) and the proposed Metro Line 12 (Kalyan to Taloja), and with the existing Central Railway.

It will provide rail based access to the commercial, government bodies and geographical landmarks in Thane, Bhiwandi and Kalayan. It will reduce the current travel time by anything between 50 per cent and 75 per cent.