MMRDA officials say partial trial run is likely between March and April 2013
As the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has hastened work on the 11.07-km-long Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor, it’s likely that its officials might be able to conduct a trial run on a particular stretch on the corridor next year.
Confirming the development, a senior MMRDA official said, “We have already accelerated work on the VAG corridor and are planning to conduct a partial trial run by next year, between March and April 2013. Since final completion will take a while, we decided to conduct the run on a particular stretch.”
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The trial run was earlier scheduled between August and September 2012, but construction-related issues delayed it and the run was rescheduled for March-April 2013.
A highly placed source in the MMRDA said, “The track laying work from Versova to Andheri market is complete and the same is in progress from Andheri station (E) up to Airport Road station. In order to complete the work at the earliest, the pace has been increased.”
The crucial work of the desk slab on the important bridge passing over railway tracks in Andheri is nearing completion and the issue of a religious structure near Andheri station, which slowed down the work, was resolved.
“Electrification and signalling work is also in progress simultaneously and we are confident that we will be able to conduct a partial trial run soon,” the source said. u00a0
VAG benefits
>Once operational, it will be the first rail corridor connecting the Western and the Eastern suburbs
>The entire distance of 11.07 km will be covered in just 21 minutes, against the present 90 minutes by road
>Metro rail will help ease traffic, which in turn will help reduce air pollution
>The corridor will provide rail-based access to MIDC, SEEPZ and other commercial areas in the city u00a0