Due to a breach of the Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) air funnel zone regulations, work on Mumbai Metro 7A, which would have connected Gundavali with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has stalled. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has responded by requesting an updated AAI clearance to start operations again.
An air funnel zone is a designated flight path that ensures aircraft maintain safe altitude and positioning. Any obstruction within this zone poses a safety risk, making adherence to its restrictions critical.
J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. is developing the 3.42-kilometer Metro 7A corridor, which includes both elevated and underground sections. A partnership consisting of Systra India and Consulting Engineers Group Ltd. is providing general consulting services.
MMRDA had initially sought approval from AAI in November 2023 for the construction of the Airport Colony station and ramp. While AAI granted clearance in early January 2024, it imposed a height restriction 2.9 metres lower than the project’s original design, causing immediate delays. Unable to proceed with the restricted height, MMRDA had to halt construction.
The crisis intensified in mid-March when AAI issued a revised No Objection Certificate (NOC), further decreasing the permitted viaduct height to a range of 0.53 to 2.75 metres—insufficient for metro operations. With these additional constraints, work was once again forced to stop.
MMRDA has since urged AAI to reconsider, arguing that altering the metro line’s height is not a feasible solution due to engineering complexities, particularly in maintaining the required ramp gradient. The revised clearance request is currently under review.
An internal document obtained by Hindustan Times claims that the General Consultant made a mistake and that the station’s design did not comply with the height restrictions set by AAI. Before completing the design of the Airport Colony station, specialists from the General Consultant were supposed to verify compliance with the higher height standards that had been included in the architectural plans.
The prolonged delays have significantly impacted both the project’s timeline and budget, causing inconvenience to airport-bound passengers. Initially scheduled for completion in 2021, Metro 7A has faced multiple extensions, with the latest deadline now set for December 2026 at an estimated cost of ₹812 crore.
Although Mumbai Metro Line 3 presently connects to the airport, travellers must take a longer diversion to get to Terminal 2 because it does not have direct last-mile access. By immediately connecting the Aqua Line to the airport, Metro 7A’s construction is anticipated to address this problem, making it essential to Mumbai’s transport system.
Source: Prop News Time
