This Article is From Jan 29, 2014

Mumbai monorail expected to roll out by February 1, awaits CM's green light

Mumbai monorail expected to roll out by February 1, awaits CM's green light

The monorail chugs through dense fog during a recent test run in Wadala

Mumbai: If everything goes according to plan then it is likely that Mumbaikars will be able to travel in the country's first monorail from February 1.

Speaking to MiD DAY, an MMRDA official requesting anonymity said, "The final notification regarding the opening of monorail will come from the state government, but we are trying to open it by February 1 in the afternoon. The proposal regarding the same has been sent to the government."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is expected to take a final call on when to start operations soon.

Last Monday, the MMRDA had received the final clearance from the retired CRS, which means that the phase-1 of monorail between Wadala-Chembur can be thrown open to the public. The retired CRS has given his report and recommendations which we will be now forwarding to the state government so that the government can come out with the final notification.

The good, the bad and the ugly of the monorail:

Advantages

Reduced traffic: Nearly 28,000 taxis and auto rickshaws and 25,000 private cars will be reduced.

Reduced travel time: MMRDA says the 40-minute commute will be reduced to 21 minutes

Less crowded: The capacity of the four cars is 8,000 to 12,000 per hour per direction (PHPD).

Reduced pollution: The monorail produces less noise and is eco-friendly.

Did you know?

The Rs 2,700-crore Jacob Circle-Wadala-Chembur monorail project was divided into two phases - Phase I: Wadala-Chembur and Phase II: Jacob Circle-Wadala.
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