6 days ago
Mumbai Metro 7A Viaduct May Face Rs 250-Crore Rebuild
Mumbai is building a metro extension from Andheri East to the airport.
Part of the route runs on a raised structure in Vile Parle East.
The airport area has rules limiting how tall structures can be.
The wires needed to power the metro would be about 2.5 metres too high under those rules.
Workers discovered the problem in 2025 and stopped construction there.
Much of the concrete work had already been finished.
Officials are seeking a technical solution with the airport authority.
If they cannot find one, almost 1 kilometre of the structure may have to be rebuilt.
This could cost about Rs 250 crore and delay the metro further.
Nearly 1 kilometre of Mumbai Metro Line 7A’s elevated viaduct may need demolition and reconstruction.
The overhead electrical equipment is about 2.5 metres above clearance permitted by the Airports Authority of India.
Construction was paused in 2025 after the mismatch was identified, despite most civil work being complete.
The affected work is valued at around Rs 250 crore and includes the Airport Colony station, viaduct and ramp.
The 3.4-km airport extension, originally scheduled for 2021, is unlikely to open in financial year 2026-27.
- Who
- The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the Airports Authority of India and civil consultant Systra are involved in addressing the issue.
- What
- A height mismatch involving the metro’s overhead electrical equipment may require demolition and reconstruction of nearly 1 kilometre of elevated viaduct.
- Where
- Vile Parle East, near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
- When
- The issue was identified in 2025; MMRDA data cited in the report records construction progress through February 2026.
- Why
- The overhead electrical equipment requires more height than the Airports Authority of India permits in the airport funnel zone.
MMRDA and AAI Clearance Position
Systra’s Position
Cause of the design mismatch
MMRDA and AAI Clearance Position
According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the additional height needed for the overhead electrical equipment was not included in the design when Airports Authority of India permissions were sought in 2022.
Systra’s Position
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority says Systra maintains that it was not responsible for the error.
Required height
MMRDA and AAI Clearance Position
The Airports Authority of India has not permitted the additional height required for the overhead electrical equipment in the airport funnel zone.
Systra’s Position
Systra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority are involved in discussions to find a technical solution, but the report does not identify a final resolution.
Possible next step
MMRDA and AAI Clearance Position
MMRDA officials say the viaduct may have to be reconstructed if the clearance problem cannot be resolved technically.
Systra’s Position
Systra’s reported position is that it was not responsible for the mismatch; no alternative construction solution is confirmed in the reports.
Key facts
- Project
- Mumbai Metro Line 7A, a 3.4-km extension from Andheri East to the airport
- Route composition
- Approximately 2.5 km underground and 940 metres elevated
- Affected section
- About 940 metres, including the Airport Colony station, viaduct and ramp
- Height mismatch
- Approximately 2.5 metres above the clearance permitted by the Airports Authority of India
- Potential reconstruction cost
- Around Rs 250 crore
- Construction status
- By February 2026, the elevated viaduct was complete and 95% of the elevated ramp had been constructed
- Opening outlook
- The line was originally scheduled for 2021 and is unlikely to open in financial year 2026-27
Quotes
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority official
An unidentified official of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority quoted by The Indian Express
“While we are trying to strike a balance between Systra and AAI, technical issues cannot be solved through compromise. If we do not arrive at a solution, the viaduct may have to be reconstructed”
indianexpress.com
scroll.in
Sources
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