MUMBAI: The demolition of 350 rehabilitated slum structures at Bhola Nagar has cleared nearly half the land required for the long-delayed Airoli–Kalwa elevated suburban rail corridor, bringing the Rs 476-crore project a step closer to execution after years of rehabilitation-related hurdles.
Project Background
The project, part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-III, was sanctioned in November 2016 but has remained stalled mainly due to encroachments and delays in shifting project-affected families. Following intervention by the Maharashtra government, 350 affected families accepted rehabilitation tenements at Balkum in Thane, after which their vacated structures were demolished, officials said.
Phased Implementation
The Airoli–Kalwa project has been divided into two phases due to land acquisition and rehabilitation issues. The first phase, involving the construction of Digha Gaon station and associated infrastructure, was commissioned in January 2024 and is operational. The elevated corridor forms the second phase.
Land Requirements
The project requires 2.40 hectares (24,000 sq m) of land, including 1.87 hectares (18,700 sq m) of government land and 0.53 hectares (5,300 sq m) of private land. While the government land is already with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), acquisition of the remaining private land is underway.
Rehabilitation Challenges
MRVC said rehabilitation efforts had been stalled due to resistance from residents of Bhola Nagar and Shivaji Nagar. With the relocation of 350 families from Bhola Nagar to Balkum, a significant portion of the required land has become available for the project. However, the rehabilitation process remains incomplete as 436 project-affected households in Shivaji Nagar continue to oppose relocation, reportedly with the support of local public representatives.
Government Intervention
The state government is trying to resolve the issue and complete the socio-economic survey and rehabilitation process. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has earmarked 868 rehabilitation tenements at Balkum for project-affected families. Earlier, rehabilitation of 82 affected households had already been completed.
Project Cost and Timeline
Officials said work on the second phase has not yet started, making it difficult to assess the revised project cost, though the delay could push the expenditure up by around Rs 200 crore. Once the entire land is handed over, the MRVC plans to complete the elevated corridor within 36 months. The corridor will provide direct connectivity between the Trans-Harbour and Central Railway suburban networks, easing pressure on Thane station and improving travel for commuters across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
