MMRCL says tarpaulin on Mumbai Metro 3 entry and exit usual practice

Ashwini Bhide, managing director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited. File pic

Responding to a mid-day report on tarpaulin being used to keep the underground Bandra Kurla Complex Metro station waterproof, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) Managing Director Ashwini Bhide, claimed that some entry/exits of Mumbai Metro 3 that are under construction were covered with rainproof material as part of the usual practice that is followed by under-construction sites during the monsoon season as a safely measure.

On June 2, in a report headlined ‘Rs 37,000 crore Mumbai Metro line 3 gets cheap tarpaulin rain fix', this newspaper revealed how days after the newly opened Acharya Atre Chowk Metro station got flooded, the authorities responded with quick-fix solutions that resembled roadside repairs rather than something befitting a modern urban transport system. The story also mentioned that from draping station entrances with plastic to constructing makeshift bund walls, the MMRCL measures had raised serious concerns about its preparedness for the monsoon.

Bhide's response to mid-day's report on X

The report quoted Bhide as stating that damage assessment of stations on the line had been completed, rectification works were in progress and restoration was expected to be finished in the next few days. "A temporary sandbag bund wall is being built to prevent surface runoff. Simultaneously, a temporary RCC retaining wall is under construction to withstand similar water ingress scenarios like those experienced on May 26. All dewatering pumps at stations are fully functional, and currently, there is no water accumulation inside the station premises," she had said.

Official Speak

Sharing her thoughts about the story on X on Tuesday, Bhide, who is also principal secretary to the chief minister, posted on June 3, "Some entry exits of @MumbaiMetro3 which are under construction are covered with rainproof material as part of the usual practice being followed by under construction sites during monsoon season of Mumbai so that the construction activity safely continues even during rains."

She added, "Picture here is of BKC Stn Entry Exit connecting to upcoming Line 2B which is under construction. It is temporarily covered to avoid rainwater ingress during this monsoon. The glass facade work is in progress inside the Entry Exit after that covering will be removed (sic)."

Bhide also stated, "This entry exit is going to provide paid to paid connectivity between Line 3 and Line 2 so that passengers coming all the way from Dahisar, Andheri via Line 2 can seamlessly switch over to Line 3 to travel towards Siddhivinayak, Mantralaya or Cuffe Parade etc."

She also stated, "Building a completely new mass transit system, which can transform the way the city travels, is a far more complex process than what one can imagine. However, be rest assured that it is being ensured with tireless efforts and meticulousness."

Commuters react

A commuter Anil Rajput replied to the post on X, saying, "I am taking Metro 3 from May 11 & it's world class, saves time, however, it lacks last mile connectivity, stations not come up where required like BKC alone deserves 3 stns, entry and exits still look messy, inside stns getting dirty & lacks internet connectivity inside stns (sic)."

Responding to him, Bhide posted, "Metro 3 will connect to elevated Metro line 2 which will have 3 to 4 stations in BKC. Metro 2 is under construction and progressing well."

mid-day, in its June 2 report, also mentioned that at some Line 3 stations like Marol, plastic sheets were temporarily placed over one of the entry/exit points. However, when this reporter visited the spot on Sunday, the plastic sheet had been removed. A portion of an adjacent structure had been covered near entry/exit A4 at BKC station.