Mumbai: MMRDA removes over 1.14 lakh metres of metro barricades ahead of monsoon

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA has undertaken a largescale barricade removal and monsoon preparedness exercise across several ongoing metro infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region ahead of the 2026 monsoon seasonAccording to MMRDA more than 114 lakh metres of barricades have already been removed from completed stretches beneath metro viaducts across multiple corridors The authority said the exercise is intended to restore road space improve traffic movement and facilitate smoother stormwater flow before the onset of heavy rainfallThe agency stated that the barricade removal drive has been prioritised in areas where viaduct construction pier work and major structural activities have either been completed or reached advanced stages The move is expected to improve carriageway width and reduce congestion on key arterial roads during the monsoonThe review of the ongoing exercise was conducted under the leadership of MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee in the presence of Additional Commissioners Vikram Kumar and Ashwin MudgalMetro corridors witness significant barricade reductionMMRDA said substantial barricade removal has already been completed across several metro linesAccording to the authority Metro Line 2B connecting DN Nagar and Mandale has seen the removal of 18277 metres of barricades accounting for 8864 per cent of the total barricaded stretchOn Metro Lines 4 and 4A connecting Wadala Kasarvadavali and Gaimukh around 31706 metres of barricades have been removed representing nearly 92 per cent completion of the exerciseMetro Line 5 between Thane and Bhiwandi recorded 11134 metres of barricade removal while Metro Line 6 connecting Swami Samarth Nagar and Vikhroli witnessed the removal of 28952 metres of barricadesSimilarly Metro Line 9 between Dahisar East and Mira Bhayander saw 17275 metres of barricades removed while Metro Line 12 between Kalyan and Taloja recorded 7174 metres of barricade removal MMRDA added that phased barricade reduction work is also underway on Metro Line 7A connecting Andheri East and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International AirportGovernment emphasises commuter convenienceMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said metro infrastructure development should also deliver mobility benefits to citizens during the construction phase He stated that the decision to restore road space before the monsoon would help improve traffic flow reduce congestion and support smoother movement across Mumbai and the metropolitan regionMetro infrastructure is not only about constructing corridors but also about ensuring that citizens start receiving mobility benefits even during the construction phase itself With major viaduct works now completed across several stretches MMRDArsquos decision to remove barricades and restore road space before the monsoon is an important and citizencentric step The availability of wider carriageways will help improve traffic flow reduce congestion and support smoother movement across Mumbai and the Metropolitan Region during the monsoon season Fadnavis saidDeputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said timely barricade removal from completed metro stretches was essential from the perspective of traffic management and public convenience especially before the monsoon season He added that MMRDA had been instructed to restore maximum possible carriageway width wherever major structural work had been completedTimely removal of barricades from completed metro stretches is extremely essential from the perspective of traffic management and public convenience especially before the monsoon As construction activities move towards completion in multiple corridors road space is being systematically handed back to citizens MMRDA has been directed to ensure that wherever major structural works are completed maximum possible carriageway width should be restored immediately so that commuters experience visible relief in daily travel Shinde saidEmergency preparedness measures intensifiedMMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said the authority has initiated one of the regionrsquos largest coordinated monsoon preparedness exercises across ongoing metro and infrastructure projectsMMRDA has undertaken one of the regionrsquos largest coordinated monsoon preparedness and barricade removal exercises across ongoing metro and infrastructure projects With major viaduct and structural works now substantially completed across several corridors barricades beneath completed metro stretches are being systematically removed to restore maximum road space for citizens before the monsoon all contractors consultants and project agencies have been directed to establish dedicated emergency response teams at site level along with deployment of dewatering pumps emergency machinery safety personnel and roundtheclock preparedness systems to ensure commuter safety and uninterrupted mobility during the monsoon season Mukherjee said