Mumbai:
Maharashtra Government today said that it planned to start work on the first phase of Navi Mumbai Metro by May this year.
The first phase will comprise 11.15 km route from Belapur to Pendhar,along the Belapur-Kharghar-Taloja-Kalamboli -Khandeshwar line, which will be completed in three phases, Minister of state for Urban development, Bhaskar Jadhav, told the Legislative Assembly today.
Jadhav said tenders have been received by CIDCO, the implementing agency, for the 11.15 km route, and the actual work will start by May and will be completed by August 2014.
The remaining two phases are proposed to be started in 2015-16.
He said the land needed for constructing the Metro beyond the 11.15 km route has not been transferred to CIDCO by MIDC yet.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)had proposed six line Metro corridor: Uran-Ranjanpada-Nerul, Belapur-Taloja-Airport, Vashi-Nerul-Panvel, Ranjanpada-Kharkopar-Seawoods, Dighe-Turbhe-Belapur and Vashi-Ghansoli-Mahape.
NCP legislators Shashikant Shinde and Jeetendra Awhad criticised the government for excluding Vashi,Kopharkhairne, Ghansoli, Airoli and Digha routes.
They said these areas have considerable middle-class population, which depends on mass rapid transit system.
The routes should be re-worked, they demanded. Jadhav said he would discuss this with the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.