The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced the procurement of signalling equipment with Platform Screen Doors (PSD) for the Lokhandwala to Vikhroli Metro 6 corridor, marking a crucial development in the project’s progress. The decision was made following the resolution of the depot issue, with the state granting permission for the facility to be constructed at Kanjurmarg.
As of now, 65% of the work on the corridor has been completed. Once finished, the 16-kilometre-long line will traverse along the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli link road, connecting Vikhroli to Lokhandwala by criss-crossing over railway tracks.
The MMRDA expects the Metro Line-6 project to cost roughly Rs 6,700 crore and to be completed within the next four years.
The development of the 16-kilometer route is projected to take 18 months, and the MMRDA is likely to solicit bids for the depot building to begin work.
The new corridor will also have a ‘Communication-based Train Control System’ and a Continuous Automatic Train Control System. This system consists of subsystems such as Automatic Train Protection, Automatic Train Supervision, and Automatic Train Operation, all of which rely on radio communication between the track and the train.
When finished, the new connection would connect to four existing metro lines, including the presently operational Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7. It will also connect to the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line 3, which is still under construction and will be totally underground, as well as Line 4, which will connect Wadala to Kasardavali.
The decision to procure new signalling equipment and platform screen doors for the Metro 6 corridor comes as work on the project enters a crucial phase following the resolution of the depot issue. The MMRDA’s decision to use PSDs is expected to increase the safety and security of passengers by preventing them from falling onto the tracks accidentally or intentionally.
The MMRDA is set to introduce PSDs on several other metro routes, including Line 7, which connects Dahisar East to Andheri East. The installation of PSDs is part of a larger initiative to improve passenger safety and experience across the Mumbai Metro network.
The MMRDA’s decision has been met with widespread approval from the public and industry experts, who have praised the agency for its commitment to safety and progress. The project’s success is expected to have a significant impact on Mumbai’s transportation network, connecting people and places like never before.
Overall, the MMRDA’s decision to procure new signalling equipment and platform screen doors for the Lokhandwala to Vikhroli Metro 6 corridor marks a significant milestone in the project’s development. With the corridor expected to be completed within the next few years, Mumbai’s transportation network is set to become more efficient, safe, and accessible than ever before.