Mumbai: 

The plot is adjacent to the Versova bus depot. Pic/shashank rao

The Mumbai metro rail project is likely to put the plans for the construction of a training centre for the Home Guard (HG) on hold. The MMRDA recently requested the state and the HG to temporarily transfer a 2.4-hectare land at Versova, which has been reserved for the centre, for use as a casting yard. If the transfer goes through, the construction of the training centre will be postponed by at least two years.

T Benjamin, principal secretary, Urban Development Department, said, "This plot will be used as a casting yard. The issue will be resolved in few days." Another senior MMRDA official said acquisition of the plot would speed up the metro rail project.

An official from Mumbai Metro Rail Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) said, "This land will be used to construct the platforms, while the piers and pillars will be built at Wadala Truck Terminus."

Though the current request is for the land to be transferred for the first phase of the project, it could be extended to include the entire project. S Chakravarty, director general, HG, said, "We have no problems handing over the plot till the project is completed, but a month ago we had received a communication stating the MMRDA didn't need it."

Meanwhile, MMRDA has acquired the disputed 11.8-hectare plot at Versova for the project, after the private parties who owned it withdrew their case against the acquisition.