The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is taking steps to expedite the completion of metro projects in the region, following Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ directive to achieve at least 50 km of metro rail construction annually starting in 2026. As part of these efforts, MMRDA is in the process of terminating or not renewing contracts with consultants involved in four under-construction metro lines and is planning to assign these projects to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The metro lines affected include Metro 2B (Andheri West to Mandale), Metro 4 (Wadala to Kasarvadavali), Metro 5 (Thane to Bhiwandi), and Metro 9 (Dahisar East to Mira-Bhayandar), which have all fallen behind their respective timelines. Consultants working on these lines are being replaced due to their failure to ensure progress as per the project schedules. The existing consultancy contracts lacked provisions for incentivizing timely completion, allowing companies to continue drawing payments based on manhours without accountability for delays.

To improve efficiency, MMRDA plans to introduce a new payment structure where consultants will receive payouts based on both the work completed (60 per cent) and adherence to timelines (40 per cent).

DMRC, which has successfully built a vast metro network in Delhi and its surrounding areas, has been brought in to oversee the implementation of Mumbai Metro 2B, the most complex of the on-going metro projects. DMRC’s involvement is expected to fast-track the completion of these lines, including the 23.64 km Metro 2B line, which has been in progress since 2016. MMRDA aims to meet the ambitious goal of completing 50 km of metro lines annually by 2026 and exceed current targets.

News source: Hindustan Times