Soil testing work commences for extension of Navi Mumbai Metro project

Navi Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): The workers of Zed Geotech Private Limited has commenced the geotechnical investigation and soil testing activities on Tuesday for the Line-2 and Line-3 of Navi Mumbai Metro project.

Initially, the work has been started at two locations under the supervision of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The findings of these activities will help to determine the line’s optimal alignment and later be included within the civil construction tender documents to help infrastructure companies make more informed financial bids and use appropriate machinery, methods & technology during the construction of 7.12 km Line-2 (MIDC Taloja – Khandeshwar) and 3.87 km Line-3 (Pendhar – MIDC Taloja) of Navi Mumbai Metro project.

In June 2019, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) and awarded the contract worth Rs 4,570.34 crore to DMRC to undertake the project work of Line-2 & Line-3. The detailed project report of both metro extension lines was prepared by RITES Limited and approved by the CIDCO board. As per the DPR, the estimated cost of the Line-2 and Line-3 is Rs 2,820.20 crore and Rs 1,750.14 crore respectively.

On 17th July 2020, DMRC issued a tender notice for the engagement of detailed design consultants (DDC) for Civil, Architectural and Building Services including E&M Works for MIDC Taloja to Khandeshwar (Line 2, 7.12 km ) and Pendhar to MIDC Taloja (Line 3, 3.87 km ) corridor including Civil& E&M works of Khandeshwar Depot of Navi Mumbai Metro Project.

Commissioning of 11.10 km long Belapur - Pendhar Metro Corridor (Line) is getting delay due to some serious irregularities found in awarding some contracts during the construction of this line in the tenure of Devendra Fadnavis then Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Chairman of CIDCO. The matter is under investigation as CAG had pointed out the serious irregularities in awarding the contracts. The trial of the metro train on this corridor has already been completed.