Latest news with #MumbaiMetroRailCorporationLimited
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
EV battery stns below Metro could obstruct pedestrian, fear experts
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMMRCL), which operates metro rail lines in the city, has partnered with Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt Ltd, to install e-Swap battery stations at metro and monorail stations. However, there are fears that the already congested footpaths below these stations will be further swamped and cause problems for pedestrians. Experts working on pedestrian-friendly initiatives in Mumbai said that anything that obstructs pedestrian movement should be avoided, and the e-battery units should be placed at other strategic locations. 'The staircases to any form of mass transit are heavily congested,' said an expert. 'The authorities should identify locations after thorough research. Moreover it's not that these e-bikes will be used by passengers for last-mile connectivity; they will only benefit the app-based operators using e-bikes.' MMRCL sources dismissed the concerns, saying that e-bikers would be able to swap batteries in a matter of minutes and leave the battery-swapping station without causing too many problems for pedestrians. The Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd has installed the first such unit at Dahisar East, and going forward, will install them below 25 stations of Metro 2A and Metro 7 and six monorail stations. 'This collaboration is the first major rollout under our Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy to promote clean energy solutions and smart last-mile connectivity,' said an official. 'This E-swap system allows electric two- and three-wheeler users to exchange their depleted Honda Mobile Power Pack e-battery for a fully charged one in under two minutes.' MMMOCL officials said that all installations would adhere to strict safety, technical and environmental standards, ensuring smooth access and high usability for daily EV users, including delivery agents and fleet operators. MMMOCL will earn an estimated amount of ₹30 lakh in non-fare revenue. Under the EV policy, various private players can participate in this environment-friendly initiative to install such battery-swapping centres along Metro Lines 2A and 7.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
1.1 million litres of water in an under-construction pit at AAC led to its collapse
MUMBAI: Monday's unprecedented downpour put to test the Aqua Line of Mumbai metro, where 1.1 million litres of water accumulated in its last station – the Acharya Atre Chowk (AAC) – which was only partially opened to public. There are six entry-exit gates to the station, of which two are open for public; four are under-construction. The heavy rain led to one of the under-construction gates flooding, leading to services to AAC being suspended. The weight of the rainwater in the pit led to its collapse, flooding the station premises below. The temporary protective concrete retaining wall around it also failed to withstand the force of water. Officials from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) said the reason behind such an eventuality was because the area around Worli recorded 90 mm of rainfall in an hour (9.30-10.30 am); high tide alongside added to the problem. The AAC station is expected to reopen in a couple of days. 'The deepest point of this station is at 22 meters where water and slush has reached. High powered pumps are being used to flush it all out. Cleaning this portion is our first priority,' said Ashwini Bhide, managing director, MMRCL, on Tuesday. She also expressed optimism about reopening the AAC station in a couple of days. People in the know told HT that the retaining wall was built only to withstand 'normal rain', and that a red alert is sounded if rainfall exceeds 25 mm in an hour. This under-construction entry-exit point is located along Dr Annie Besant Road, where an overflowing stormwater drain also compounded the problem. 'The work of fitting the base slab on this under construction portion was pending. So, we created a pit with the retaining wall. 1.1 million litres of rain water was too much for this temporary pit to contain, which collapsed and crashed onto the station concourse. No other station on the underground Line-3 suffered similar problem,' said an official from MMRCL. An officer, who did not wish to be named, told HT that slush and water had entered the lifts and escalators, 'which are being cleaned and will be tested on Wednesday'. Pumps have been deployed 24*7 to clean the tracks. The officer also said that a permanent protection wall is being built around the damaged part of the station, which will take a couple of months to be ready. This will help prevent any ingress of water in future. Other stations of this route – Worli to Aarey JVLR – are protected, the officer added. While two entry-exit points are sufficient to service the station's existing passenger load, this incident has raised concerns about its safe operations, drainage systems and overall monsoon preparedness especially when MMRCL claimed earlier that the high profile ₹37,000-crore corridor was flood-proof. 'Passengers have no cause for worry on the underground metro corridor. Trains can be reversed on the southern end inside the tunnel, where water has not entered,' said the official. On Monday, close to 40,000 passengers travelled on Aarey JVLR-Worli route while on Tuesday over 45,000 passengers travelled on this line.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Metro 3 BKC-Worli route's opening day sees over 26,000 riders
MUMBAI: The first day of the extended underground Mumbai Metro 3 line from Bandra Kurla Complex to Acharya Atre Chowk has brought relief to residents along its alignment. On Saturday, until 8 pm, 26,758 passengers had used the metro as compared to 15,911 who availed of its services on May 3 until 8 pm when the metro's operations had not extended beyond BKC. Among the joyriders over the weekend were a group of Mahim residents who hopped on to the metro at Sitaladevi Mandir station. 'We are impressed with its modern infrastructure, speedy travel time and comfortable coaches,' said Mahim resident Irfan Macchiwala. 'Metro 3 is a game changer for the metropolis. It connects the heart of the city in minutes and is a relief from the overcrowded roads and local trains.' Some passengers took to social media to share their feedback with the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL). '…It was an awesome feeling like any other metro in a foreign country. A few suggestions, 1. While travelling from Shivaji Park to Acharya Atre Chowk stop, the indicator was not working and there was no dustbin at the exit to throw the used tickets,' posted Amey on X. (Sic) Melville D'Souza, another X user, said that though the Metro 3 line looked 'fantastic', the exits were not properly named on the map. 'Please put proper signage,' he urged. 'There seems to be a mistake/ mismatch in the maps at Siddhivinayak Metro; the exit towards Kirti College is mentioned as Exit A2 on the underground entrance but on the map outside the station the same exit shows (as) Exit A3.' To improve footfalls and encourage people to travel by metro instead of private vehicles, MMRCL has entered into a collaboration with a mall. 'As part of our commitment to seamless travel, we have joined hands with Phoenix Palladium Mall, Lower Parel, to offer a free shuttle service from Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka) Metro Station to the mall, enhancing last-mile connectivity,' said an MMRCL official. The Metro 3 route has been operational between Aarey-JVLR and BKC, a length of 12.69 km, since October. The extended portion adds 9.77 km and six metro stations—Dharavi, Sitaladevi Mandir, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk. The entire route up to Cuffe Parade is 33.5 km long and is expected to start in mid-August. Metro 9 trials from next week During the inspection of Mumbai Metro 9, from Dahisar East to Bhayandar, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik told media persons that trial runs would begin between Dahisar East and Kashigaon next week. Trial runs are mandatory before operationalising the metro line. Mumbai Metro 9 is being constructed by MMRDA. Owing to car depot-related challenges, the route has been split into two phases. The 4.5 km-long Dahisar East-to-Kashigaon route, with four metro stations, will commence by the end of the year, an extension to the existing Metro 7 (Gundavali to Dahisar). In the future, it will also connect to Line 10.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- The Hindu
Mumbai Metro 3 services from BKC to Worli begin
Services of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli became operational on Saturday (May 10, 2025). Earlier, Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as Aqua Line, was only operational in the suburban stretch between JVLR Aarey and BKC, which was thrown open last year. Mumbai Metro line-1 (Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova), Metro Line 2A (Dahisar East-Andheri West ) and Metro Line 7 (Andheri East-Dahisar East) are operational in suburban areas. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday (May 9, 2025) flagged off the phase 2A stretch between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli and announced that the final phase of the Metro Line 3 between Worli and Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai will become operational in August. A spokesperson of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC) said the operations began at 6.30 a.m., and the first train departed from Worli Naka station, while another train departed from JVLR Aarey at the same time. He said the services will be operational from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm, except on Sunday, when trains will run from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. One of the passengers who travelled in the morning from Shitaladevi station to Siddhivinayak Temple station posted on social media that there were hardly any commuters, as most people were unaware of extended operations. Phase 2A is 9.77 km long, and its tunnel has been built through the 'rockbed' underneath the Mithi River, officials said. It has six stations, including Dharavi, Shitaladevi, Dadar West, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk. The underground corridor will provide metro connectivity to offices in the Worli, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi areas from BKC, the biggest business hub in the city. It will also ease the commute to Siddhivinayak and Shitaladevi temples, Mahim Dargah, and recreational places such as Shivaji Park and Ravindra Natya Mandir. As per the MMRC, the minimum fare will be ₹10, and the maximum fare will be ₹40 for the journey in phase 2A of the underground corridor. For the travel between JVRL Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk, passengers will have to shell out ₹60. MMRC has planned 244 services on the corridor with eight Metro trains, and the travel time between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk will be 15-20 minutes, while that between JVRL Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk will be 36 minutes. The headway between two trains will be 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
The Print
10-05-2025
- The Print
Mumbai Metro 3 services from BKC to Worli begin
Earlier, Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as Aqua Line, was only operational in the suburban stretch between JVLR Aarey and BKC, which was thrown open last year. Mumbai, May 10 (PTI) Services of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli became operational on Saturday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday flagged off the phase 2A stretch between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli and announced that the final phase of the Metro Line 3 between Worli and Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai will become operational in August. A spokesperson of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC) said the operations began at 6.30 am, and the first train departed from Worli Naka station, while another train departed from JVLR Aarey at the same time. He said the services will be operational from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm, except on Sunday, when trains will run from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm. One of the passengers who travelled in the morning from Shitaladevi station to Siddhivinayak Temple station posted on social media that there were hardly any commuters, as most people were unaware of extended operations. Phase 2A is 9.77 km long, and its tunnel has been built through the 'rockbed' underneath the Mithi River, officials said. It has six stations, including Dharavi, Shitaladevi, Dadar West, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk. The underground corridor will provide metro connectivity to offices in the Worli, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi areas from BKC, the biggest business hub in the city. It will also ease the commute to Siddhivinayak and Shitaladevi temples, Mahim Dargah, and recreational places such as Shivaji Park and Ravindra Natya Mandir. As per the MMRC, the minimum fare will be Rs 10, and the maximum fare will be Rs 40 for the journey in phase 2A of the underground corridor. For the travel between JVRL Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk, passengers will have to shell out Rs 60. MMRC has planned 244 services on the corridor with eight Metro trains, and the travel time between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk will be 15-20 minutes, while that between JVRL Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk will be 36 minutes. The headway between two trains will be 6 minutes and 20 seconds. PTI KK ARU This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
