Ms Ashwini Bhide is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer entrusted with the responsibility of Mumbai metro Line 3 as the MD of MMRCL. MMRCL looks after the Mumbai metro Line-3, a 33.5-kilometre underground corridor along Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ. The corridor’s length is marked with 27 key stations, 26 underground and one at grade.
Metro Rail News Conducted an email interview with Ms Ashwini Bhide, IAS & MD of MMRCL. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s worth highlighting that Mumbai Metro Line 3, overseen by Ms. Ashwini Bhide, a woman in a leadership role, is nearing completion. Her management of this major project shows her skills and signals progress towards gender equality in traditionally male-dominated fields. Ms Bhide’s role is a testament to the growing presence of women in important infrastructure projects. This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate her leadership and the strides made towards recognising women’s contributions in shaping India’s transportation future.
Here are the edited excerpts:
Please provide an update on the progress of Mumbai Metro Line 3 and any significant milestones that MMRCL is targeting.
The Mumbai Metro Line-3 spans 33.5 kilometres underground, from Colaba to Bandra to SEEPZ. It comprises 27 key stations, 26 underground and one at grade level. Project Progress Update as of 31st January 2024 is:
• Overall project progress – 88.5%
• Overall civil works – 98.2%
• Overall station work – 94.6%
• Overall system work – 66.7%
• Track Works – 73.7%
• Tunnelling 100% completed
• Total 42 breakthroughs achieved out of 42.
• Depot Works – 98.6%
What is this buzz about the extension of Metro Line 3? When will the commercial operations on Metro Line 3 be launched?
MMRC is also working on the south extension of line 3 till Navy Nagar, which is approx. 2.5km with a station near TIFR. The work of this extension is in the DPR stage.
The Commercial operations on Phase I from Aarey to BKC are expected to commence by May 2024.
Please share the initiatives MMRCL has undertaken under your leadership to ensure last-mile connectivity for commuters.
Lat mile Connectivity for the Metro users is being ensured through the following initiatives:
- Integration: Metro-3 will integrate with other Metros, Monorails, Suburban Rail, Domestic and International Airport Terminals, and ST Bus Services. It will also be connected to six major business and employment centres, including Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Fort, Lower Parel, BKC, and SEEPZ/MIDC.
- Last-mile Connectivity: Line 3 will provide easy access to over 30 educational institutes, 13 hospitals, 14 religious places and over 30 recreational facilities across the alignment.
- Subways, etc. Metro-3 will also facilitate last-mile connectivity in and around the station area through subways, pedestrian walkways, bus routes, etc.
People have been walking on the Mumbai Metro Line 7 tracks recently due to unforeseen circumstances. What are your views on this incident, and how do you plan to equip Metro Line 3 to avoid similar scenarios in the future?
Metro Line-3 is a fully underground metro corridor. All 26 U/G stations are equipped with full-length platform screen doors (PSD), which act as a barrier between the passenger waiting area and platform edge to avoid any accidental fall, mishap, and trespassing at the stations.
Can you provide information about the projected ridership numbers for the upcoming Mumbai Metro Line 3?
Once operational, Metro-3 will cater to 17 lakh passengers daily, ferrying approximately 2500 passengers at a time and 10 Lakh around the catchment area.
Metro Line 3 connects significant hubs like BKC and Churchgate. Please inform me about any new developments introduced to manage and facilitate the flow of people at such major train stations.
The initiatives undertaken are:
- The proposed Churchgate station of Metro-3 is located below Jamshedji Tata Road, near the existing suburban Churchgate station, facilitating easy transit for commuters from the suburban railway line to metro line-3.
- CSMT metro station will offer a convenient interchange facility via subway, connecting with the existing MCGM subway and allowing seamless transit between the suburban railway line, Metro-3, and other important locations nearby.
- BKC station is one of the longest stations of Line 3 and has an interchange facility with the proposed Metro Line 2B. The station will also provide subway connectivity to its commuters, proposed from BKC Metro Station to NHSRCL Terminus at a distance of 1.3 km, passing below Vakola Nalah/Mithi River to ease commuting to major business hubs, offices, etc., within the vicinity.
- Vidhan Bhavan metro station will also have subway connectivity, providing seamless transit to Vidhan Bhavan, Mantralaya, and the New Administrative Building.
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