MUMBAI: The failure on the part of the consultant overseeing the planning and design of Metro 7A to account for airport height restrictions could force MMRDA to dismantle and rebuild a part of an elevated viaduct, potentially putting more than Rs 260 crore of public money at risk, MMRDA sources said.The problem concerns the overhead electrical equipment (OHE) and elevated structure needed to make the Metro line operational. Line 7A is an extension of Lines 9 and 7 (Kashimira-Dahisar-Gundavali), spans 3.4km and will connect to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport’s Terminal 2.The sources said the general consultant consortium – SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL – was responsible for coordinating the project’s design and statutory requirements, including aviation-related restrictions. However, the requirement for additional height for the overhead equipment was reportedly not adequately incorporated during the design and planning stage. There was no response from SYSTRA when TOI tried to seek its comment.The issue has surfaced at a time when civil works on the airport-bound extension are already substantially advanced. Metro 7A is 71% complete, while work on Airport Colony elevated station is around 82% ready, MMRDA’s project status shows.The height shortfall varies along the elevated stretch. Additional clearance ranging from 2.5cm to 2.4m is required at different locations to accommodate the OHE system. The largest additional requirement is at the ramp, while several viaduct pockets require between 1.3m and 2.2m of additional height. However, during finalisation of the general arrangement drawing (GAD), planning and execution, the requirement of AAI height clearance for the complete Metro system, including the additional height required for OHE poles, was overlooked or not adequately factored in by the GC consortium.
