Implementation of Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s longest metro line project begins

The execution of the 136-kilometer Virar-Alibaug metro line project, the longest of its kind in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), has begun with a feasibility study.

The study is being carried out by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Reportedly, this is the first time that MSRDC, a company responsible for the development, construction and maintenance of roads in Maharashtra, is taking up a metro rail project.

Details like the cost of implementation of the project, possible route adjustment, and others will be evaluated during the study. According to an official from MSRDC, a comprehensive project report will be prepared following the completion of the study which is expected to take between 6 and 8 months.

A consultant will then be appointed to oversee the construction of the 136-kilometer Virar-Alibaug metro line, which was initially set to begin at Kharbao in Bhiwandi to Alibag.

Virar-Alibaug metro line to run along the Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor project

Upon completion, the 136-kilometer Virar-Alibaug metro line will be served by a total of 40 stations connecting pivotal suburbs within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The line will also run alongside the over ₹55,000 crore Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor project.

The latter entails the construction of an 8-14 lane access-controlled expressway connecting Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. The expressway stretches from Navghar on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Thane to Balavali in Raigad the road project is 126 kilometres long.

Its construction is set to be carried out in 2 phases, the first of which is 98.5 kilometres long from Navghar to Balavali. The second phase of the project, on the other hand, is 29.9 kilometres long from Balavali to Alibaug. The entire Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor project is set to be completed by 2030.

With a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour, the corridor will reportedly go a long mile in boosting connectivity. It will reduce travel time between Virar and Alibaug by 50% and act as a shortcut between various areas in MMR and Goa since it will pass through the Mumbai-Satara Highway.

Possibility of the Virar-Alibaug metro line to be carried out by MMRDA

The announcement of the start of the feasibility study for the Virar-Alibaug metro line project comes at a time when the state government is considering the possibility of handing over the project to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

MMRDA is a Government entity of Maharashtra responsible for the long-term planning, promotion of new growth centres, implementation of strategic projects and financing of infrastructure development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The reason for the consideration of the plan to hand the Virar-Alibaug metro line project to MMRDA is because unlike MSRDC the former has experience in the implementation of metro rail line projects. As of now, MMRDA authorities have planned a network of 337 kilometres of metro rail lines across MMR. The proposed Virar-Alibaug route is not a part of this network.