6 days ago
Mumbai Metro Line 7A Faces Airport Height Clearance Hurdle
Mumbai is building a metro line to connect Andheri East with the airport.
The trains will use overhead electrical equipment called OHE.
MMRDA says the project consultant did not properly include the extra height needed for this equipment.
The metro must also stay within height limits set because it is near an airport.
MMRDA is waiting for a final technical report from the Airports Authority of India.
After receiving it, MMRDA will decide whether changes are needed.
The consultant, SYSTRA, has previously accused some MMRDA officials of asking for improper payments and causing project delays.
SYSTRA also challenged MMRDA’s decision to end its contract, and the Bombay High Court criticized that decision as unfair and unreasonable.
MMRDA has held the SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL consortium responsible for failing to account adequately for OHE height requirements.
The authority is awaiting the Airports Authority of India’s final report on permissible clearances for the airport corridor.
Metro Line 7A is a 3.4-kilometre extension connecting Andheri East with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
MMRDA said it will assess the technical impact and decide on corrective measures after receiving the AAI report.
The development follows a dispute over MMRDA’s discontinuation of SYSTRA’s consultancy services in January 2025.
- Who
- The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL consulting consortium, and the Airports Authority of India are involved.
- What
- A height-clearance issue has emerged over the overhead electrification system planned for Mumbai Metro Line 7A.
- Where
- The affected corridor is Metro Line 7A between Andheri East and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
- When
- The issue is being addressed after MMRDA’s January 2025 discontinuation of SYSTRA’s services; the authority is awaiting AAI’s final report.
- Why
- The additional height required for the OHE system was not adequately included during design and planning, according to MMRDA.
MMRDA’s Position
SYSTRA’s Position
Responsibility for the height issue
MMRDA’s Position
MMRDA says the general consultant was responsible for coordinating design and aviation-related statutory requirements, but did not adequately factor in the extra OHE height.
SYSTRA’s Position
The article does not provide a direct SYSTRA response to MMRDA’s latest attribution of responsibility.
Discontinuation of consultancy services
MMRDA’s Position
MMRDA discontinued SYSTRA MVA Consulting’s services on January 3, 2025.
SYSTRA’s Position
SYSTRA challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court, arguing that it had been subjected to severe challenges, payment delays, pressure over variation orders, approval delays, and alleged demands for undue monetary benefits.
Court’s assessment
MMRDA’s Position
MMRDA ended the consultancy arrangement after the contract had been extended through December 2026.
SYSTRA’s Position
The Bombay High Court said discontinuing the extended contract without assigning reasons was arbitrary, unfair, and unreasonable.
Key facts
- Project
- Mumbai Metro Line 7A, an airport-bound extension of Metro Line 7
- Length
- 3.4 kilometres
- Consultant
- SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL consortium
- Technical authority
- Airports Authority of India
- Pending action
- AAI’s final report on permissible height clearances
- Underground section
- Approximately 1.65 kilometres between Andheri East and the airport
- Contract dispute
- MMRDA discontinued SYSTRA’s services on January 3, 2025, despite an extension through December 2026
Quotes
Bombay High Court
Bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Arif Doctor
“We find that the action of the MMRDA in discontinuation of the terms of the contract, which was extended up to December 2026, without assigning any reasons, is arbitrary, unfair and unreasonable.”
freepressjournal.in
“The additional height required for the OHE system was not adequately highlighted and factored in by the Consultant at the appropriate stage of design and planning.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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