[Pics] Soil Testing Begins for Mumbai Metro’s Line 7
Over the past few weeks, I’ve reported multiple times here and on Twitter about the commencement of soil testing and utility shifting activity along Mumbai’s Western Express Highway’s northbound service lanes for the new 16.5 km Andheri (E) – Dahisar (E) metro line. Now here’s an excellent coverage of that by TMRG reader Akshay Marathe who runs MRVC Mania – a fabulous blog on Mumbai’s suburban rakes.
Soil testing works are being carried out by old school tripods at various locations, and although the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has completed this in the past & made their study available during the bidding stage, this step is necessary to re-validate those findings prior to the commencement of construction which is expected to begin in August-September.
As a reminder, construction contracts were awarded to 3 firms in April:
• Simplex Infrastructure Ltd. – Andheri (E) to New Ashok Nagar with 5 stations
• J Kumar Infrastructure Ltd. – New Ashok Nagar to Mahindra & Mahindra with 6 stations
• NCC Ltd. – Mahindra & Mahindra to Dahisar (E) with 5 stations
Alignment of Andheri (E) – Dahisar (E) line – view Mumbai Metro map & information
These images were shot on this past Sunday morning, so that explains the absence of workers.
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Photo Copyright: Akshay Marathe
Fun fact: The shabby boards used by J Kumar for barricading were previously used around flyover construction sites throughout the city. I expect them to use better boards once construction begins after the monsoons end.
Construction in India never comes without drama. With pre-construction activity out of the way, the PWD has only now woken up and asked the MMRDA to adjust the line’s alignment. They claim that the barricades will cause traffic jams, and construction could damage & obstruct storm water drains below. MMRDA’s spokesperson, Dilip Kawathkar, had this to say:
The MMRDA’s metro authorities and the traffic police will monitor the situation daily. There is no question of shifting the alignment as all care is being taken to avoid any disturbance to underground utilities. The alignment was finalized after minute surveys. The barricading and machinery will not spill over to the north-bound traffic lanes. But MMRDA will positively consider the suggestions of all agencies and residents to ensure smooth construction.
For more updates, check out the Mumbai section of the Metro Rail Guy!
– TMRG
I can see tremendous urgency in Metro 7 and looks like they are very serious about 2019. As no other Metro can get completed by 2019, which is the next state election, there is desperation to get at least get Metro 7 done. This is completely over ground and parallel to the biggest highway in Mumbai. No land acquisition issue and also ease of construction given quick access for construction equipment and materials. Also all contractors selected are very experienced and known to deliver. Good Luck Fadnavis !!!
Nice sir
MMOPL has rather poor Chinese make cars. We have seen how it pours inside the coaches when it rains in Mumbai!! Can we expect purchase of much better coaches for the new project than what they have in case of MMOPL and even in Delhi. Mumbaikars deserve much better trains this time even if it comes at a premium cost !! Unfortunately, against the invited tenders, the lowest bidder will again walk away with the contract and that could mean that we again get to see only Chinese, Italian or Korean trains, instead of a renowned Japanese!! And…, let us hope that the project in completed on schedule and actually brings relief and good connectivity for the commuters. Let us also hope that problems and objections to the depot being at Aarey will not erupt again to cause any delays. Good luck to Mumbaikars!!
Lets hope this line gets completed on time! Its urgently required considering the daily chaos on WEH & WR.
Few observations: Work has started only in NCC & J Kumar territories as of now. Didn’t see any activity between Andheri-Goregaon.
The shabby J Kumar boards now have “MMRDA” hastily stencilled on them!
J Kumar is carrying out soil testing beyond Mahindra & Mahindra as well. Their boards are seen well beyond the half way mark between Mahindra & Magathane stations
Hi Akshay, nice snaps.
Had a query. Do you know where EXACTLY the stations will be housed..particularly between Mahindra and National Park?
Logically.. they should be in between flyovers… To avoid elevation problems. However Mahindra station aligned at southern end of Thakur/Mahindra flyover loos lid of difficult. If it is north.. then all northern stations get pushed further northwards.
Any idea on this?
Thanks
All the stations will be between flyovers to avoid chaos at Junctions under flover except for Andheri where it will be parallel to flyover on eastern side
Thanks Sahil.
Over a months since the soil testing, and the work seems to be in a full flow. Barricading for Utilty wrenching is observed on around 4-5 stretches- besides regular patches of soil testing.
I am still not clear whether a plan for the station locations is out. Did not see it in the public domain at least.
I have also seen some Metro related work being done on the Median of the Highway. Wondering what that is for.
TMRG is doing a fantastic job- but it will be great if we hear some more updates on the Mumbai Metro Side- Ye Dil Maange More 😉
Metro7 line plan are best but we want to metro7 line in two more line are included kashimira and ghodbunder road
Do we know the detailed alignment of Metro 7. I see Simplex has barricaded the median of Western Express Highway between Jogeshwari and Andheri. Seems like a part of the metro will run at the center of the highway. Also very likely it will cross the highway from west to east before it ends at Andheri East (WEH) Metro 1 station.