Rs 300 Bn spent on Metro 3 project so far: RTI

26 Sep 2024 CW Team

It was revealed that Rs 300 billion has been spent on the construction of the underground Metro 3 between 2019 and 31st August 2024, according to a statement made by Yogendra Saxena, Director (Finance) of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), in response to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Saxena further disclosed that the project has faced a cost escalation of Rs 28 billion, which has been attributed to civil systems, track work, and rolling stock.

Originally, the 33.5km Metro 3 line, featuring 27 stations, was expected to be completed by 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 210 billion. However, it was announced in July this year that the total cost had surged to Rs 372 billion.

In a separate RTI response to activist Zoru Bhathena, MMRCL provided further details on the total track length for Phase I (Aarey Colony to BKC) and Phase II (Dharavi to Cuffe Parade). The total track length for Phase I in both directions is 25.39km, while for Phase II, it is 41.8km. In a follow-up issued on 20th September, MMRCL confirmed that 21.79km of track had been energised.

Bhathena pointed out that, according to MMRCL’s social media updates, track testing has been underway since 2022. However, he noted a 3.6km gap in the electrification as revealed in the RTI response. Bhathena questioned why MMRCL presented Phase I as complete when it appeared that electrification of the Up and Down sections was not yet finished, raising concerns that trains may have to operate on a single track along part of the route.

MMRCL did not respond to inquiries from the Times of India regarding the cost escalation or the status of the track electrification in Phase I.

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