MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Sunday flagged off the much-delayed 11.28 kilometre second phase of the Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle monorail network.
With this, the entire 19.54 kilometre route of the country’s first monorail system, being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is now functional.
The 8.26 kilometre first phase, built and operated by a consortium of Larsen & Toubro and Malaysian firm Scomi Engineering, was commissioned in February, 2014.
Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said the country’s first ever monorail had faced many hurdles and delays in the past but was now finally seeing the light of day.
“The first 8 km route which got commissioned in 2014 was used as a mere joyride because there was no last mile connectivity. But now, with the commissioning of the second phase, it will no longer remain a joyride but passengers can now use it for a hassle free commute,” he said.
The CM said the monorail’s annual ridership will now increase from the current 4.5 lakh to 30 lakh.
“In the process of urbanisation, the most important element that needs to be addressed is mobility. It is necessary to develop an efficient and sustainable public transport system. In Mumbai we have a strong suburban railway system, and with the projects like monorail and metro network, we will be able to develop sustainable mobility,” he said.
The chief minister further said there was a need to integrate transport systems including railways, monorail, metro, BEST and the proposed waterways.
He said the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking should get more electric buses in its fleet to reduce pollution.
Earlier in the day, Fadnavis inaugurated a new suburban terminus at Central Railway’s Parel station.
“The Rs 750-crore Kalyan Murbad railway line has also been sanctioned. Fast development is the motto of Modi’s new India. Earlier, after budget announcement, it would take 20 years for work to start, but in 4 years we have done a lot of work,” he said.
He also said tenders for Dharavi redevelopment have got a good response.
“It is not feasible to shift 50,000 families at one go. If done in phases it will take several years. Now with railway land being made available, the redevelopment will happen in seven years,” Fadnavis claimed.
In December last year, MMRDA terminated the L&T-Scomi Engineering consortium’s contract over non-performance and other lapses including frequent equipment breakdowns.
Since taking over the monorail’s operations, MMRDA has said it has reduced daily losses from Rs 1.8 crore to Rs 1 crore.
It plans to operate 120 services with a fleet of seven 4-coach trains between 6am and 10pm daily.
The fare for the entire 17-station route, which has been built at a cost of Rs 3000 crore, has been fixed at Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 30 and Rs 40.
