MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed authorities to make 2027 the ‘Metro Year’ and complete at least 70km of metro corridors next year, while setting May 31, 2027 as the deadline for completing the Sewri-Worli elevated connector, which will provide a faster link between the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link/coastal road.At the same review meeting, MahaRail, which is executing the redevelopment of the Prabhadevi ROB over the Western and Central Railway tracks, assured that girder launching will be completed by November-end, after missing its earlier September deadline.The Sewri-Worli connector is expected to provide a more direct road link between the MTHL and the western suburbs, reducing travel time for motorists travelling between the two major transport links.CM Fadnavis directed officials to ensure the elevated connector is completed by May 31, 2027 and opened to traffic.The assurance on the Prabhadevi ROB was given during a review meeting chaired by Fadnavis on infrastructure projects.Once the girders are launched across the railway tracks, MahaRail will undertake the concrete work, while the MMRDA-appointed contractor will construct the approaches to the ROB.Fadnavis directed officials to step up the pace of metro construction and increase the length of corridors targeted for completion by December 2026 from 36km to 50km.He set a target of completing at least 70km of metro corridors in 2027, including pending works from this year.The CM also directed that at least 50% of infrastructure project work should be mechanised to ensure projects are completed within stipulated deadlines.Authorities should ensure the availability of skilled workers and use mechanisation to address labour shortages, he said.For Metro Line 2B, Fadnavis directed officials to plan a 12-hour special road block on a Sunday, if required, to complete the girder work near Juhu Circle on the DN Nagar-Chembur stretch.The meeting, held under Fadnavis’s chairmanship as part of the Chief Minister’s Office War Room review of infrastructure projects, was attended by minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal.Fadnavis also directed the MMRDA, BMC and other agencies to undertake updated mapping of underground utilities and develop a system to make the information readily available while executing civic and infrastructure projects, thereby reducing delays.
