The residents of this stretch, which is nearly eight kilometres, have prepared an alternate plan proposing an underground Metro corridor from ESIC Nagar in Andheri to Bandra. According to these citizen activists, the overground Metro corridor will affect hundreds of structures.

“As per our calculation, from ESIC Nagar to Bandra there are over 153 structures being affected partially or completely. At some places the stairs marked on maps of the planning agency fall in the frontage of the buildings or commercial structures,” said Nitin Killawala, an architect and member of the core committee formed by the residents for the alternate plan.

Interestingly, one building which falls smack in the middle of the Metro corridor is Shree Building on SV Road, Santacruz. The designs prepared by consultants of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRRDA) show the Metro passing through the middle of the 60-year-old building that goes onto connect with the Link Road. Meanwhile, the residents of the society are worried after about the plans. Umesh Desai, chairman of the society said, “We came to know that the Metro is passing through the building some days back but so far we’ve not approached the authorities or even got any correspondence from their end.”  

When asked about the designs, GR Madan, MMRDA’s Chief of Mass Rapid Transit System said, “That building is being affected, but so far MMRDA has not given any notices to any structures being affected. We’ll see and find out an alternative for this and inform in due course.”

“Several structures would be affected along the route which can be avoided if the government opts for an underground route. Apart from the structures being affected, the areas where the stations are proposed will become huge bottlenecks,” Killawala cautioned.

The 32-km Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd route of the Mumbai Metro Rail is estimated to cost Rs 6,192 crore and will connect western and eastern suburbs of the city. The proposed elevated line will have 27 stations along the route.

Meanwhile, the residents are ready with the alternate designs and will be presenting it to the Metropolitan Commissioner next week. According to the plans chalked out by these determined citizens, the Metro would dip from ESIC Nagar using the available green space belonging to the Airports Authority of India. As per their designs, the station areas are located below green spaces available on the 8-km stretch, which can be used as “buffer zones”.

“We don’t intend to put pressure on the already crowded areas and therefore entry and exit points can be given near the green spaces available,” said PK Das, urban planner and architect, who prepared the alternate route.