First Metro to run between Versova and Airport Road

If you were planning to travel from Versova to Ghatkopar directly after the completion of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) metro rail corridor, it is time to alter your travelling plan.

It has been learnt that constructional issues have forced the MMRDA to operate the VAG corridor in phases.

In the first phase, the metro will be operational only between Versova and Airport Road stations. "There are some issues related to construction near Asalpha station, due to which chances are that we might have to operate metro line in phases. We will try and see to it that the line between Versova and Airport Road station is operational by mid 2013," MMRDA Commissioner Rahul Asthana said.

Sources in the MMRDA said Subhash Nagar station was far from complete as a pier, adjacent to Maheshwar temple in Ghatkopar, is still under construction. They said this was one of the reasons for the delay and operation of the VAG corridor in phases. "We have successfully resolved the issue of the religious structure near Andheri station, due to which we were unable to construct a bridge passing over the railway tracks," an MMRDA official said.

Currently, work is underway at DN Nagar Depot. Completion of depot is crucial to meet the new deadline.u00a0