Title - Mumbai Metro likely to be delayed

MUMBAI : 
The Mumbai Metro Rail project, scheduled to commence operations at the end of the year, is likely to be delayed. The project, which had an estimated cost of Rs 2,400 crore has run into rough weather because the operator, Reliance (ADAG) has asked for a hike in proposed fare on the grounds that project costs had gone up.Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, addressing a group of newspersons recently, said that Reliance (ADAG) had asked for two to three times the proposed minimum fare. The minimum fare was earlier expected to be Rs 6 to Rs 10. This is likely to go up to Rs 18 if the demands are accepted. Chavan said that the safety certification process by the Railway safety commissioner for the first metro line between Ghatkopar and Versova was underway.He also said that the proposed second metro line (Charkop to Mankurd via BKC) was being scrapped completely. Apparently, land for the project was not available and the environment ministry had also raised objections on the grounds that it would affect mangroves.Chavan suggested the need for arbitrators for transport projects, on the lines of what is being done for power projects.