Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 27: The construction of Mumbai Metro 7A, connecting Gundavali to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has come to a standstill after it was found that the project breached the Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) air funnel zone restrictions. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now sought a revised clearance from AAI to resume work.
An air funnel zone serves as a designated flight path ensuring safe air travel. Any obstruction in this zone poses a risk to aviation safety, making strict compliance with height restrictions crucial.
The 3.42-km Metro 7A corridor, which is partially elevated and partially underground, is being constructed by J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. The general consultancy is provided by a consortium of Systra India and Consulting Engineers Group Ltd, known as Systra MVA Consulting.
In November 2023, MMRDA sought AAI’s clearance for the Airport Colony station and ramp area. The approval, received on January 2, 2024, allowed for a height that was 2.9 metres lower than the required design specifications, immediately causing delays.
According to an internal MMRDA document, "Construction could not proceed without compliance with the height limitation, causing disruptions to the overall project timeline."
On January 31, 2024, MMRDA sought fresh clearance for the viaduct between the Airport Colony station and the ramp. However, the issue escalated further when AAI issued another No Objection Certificate (NOC) on March 18, 2024, enforcing additional height restrictions ranging from 0.53 metres to 2.75 metres—lower than what is necessary for Metro 7A's safe operation.
With work coming to a halt once again, MMRDA requested AAI for a relaxation, stating that altering the metro line’s height would be technically unfeasible due to gradient limitations.
However, securing a revised clearance remains pending.
A senior MMRDA official acknowledged that the general consultant failed to account for AAI’s height restrictions while finalizing the Airport Colony station’s design, resulting in serious project delays.
Initially scheduled for completion in 2021, Metro 7A’s deadline has now been pushed to December 2026, with an estimated cost of ?812 crore. The delay is expected to cause further inconvenience for airport-bound passengers, as last-mile connectivity remains a significant challenge.
While Mumbai Metro Line 3 has reached the airport, passengers continue to face difficulties due to the long detour to Terminal 2, making Metro 7A’s completion a crucial link in the city’s transit infrastructure.