Views on Colaba-Seepz underground metro sought

After deciding to construct a fully underground, instead of a partially underground, metro, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Monday issued a notification inviting suggestions for and objections to the city’s first underground metro from Colaba to Seepz via Bandra.The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), which has been floated for the functioning of all the lines of metros in Mumbai metropolitan region, has issued this notification. “MMRC intends to implement line III of the metro from Colaba to Bandra with an extension up to Seepz with a distance of 33.5km. The alignment is proposed to have stations at 27 locations. The Government of Maharashtra is already negotiating with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency for a loan for this project,” said the notification.Citizens groups opposing the elevated second line between Charkop and Mankhurd via Bandra have welcomed the notification.“This is a positive development. We already have litigation against the 32km elevated Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd alignment. This will boost our chances of having an underground second line,” said architect Nitin Killawala of the Juhu Vile Parle Residents Association. He added that the reasons for designing an underground metro line-III are also applicable for line-II. “We will participate in the public hearing of line-III, raise some queries and come up with suggestions.”