Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday instructed authorities overseeing the Mumbai Metro, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), to conduct detailed safety audits at all ongoing metro construction sites. He also emphasised the importance of ensuring uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity across underground metro stations.
During a high-level monsoon preparedness meeting, Shelar called for a robust contingency plan for emergency scenarios and service disruptions—particularly at high-footfall stations such as Andheri and Ghatkopar. The plan should include coordinated efforts with the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to enable swift passenger evacuation and provide immediate alternative transport options.
The directive follows the flooding incident at the Acharya Atre Chowk Metro Station on the Aqua Line (Line 3) during Mumbai’s first heavy rains of the season. Water seeped into the station after a concrete water-retaining wall collapsed at an under-construction entry/exit, caused by sudden water ingress.
Minister Shelar underscored the importance of seamless coordination between agencies and warned against indulging in blame games. He urged the MMRDA, Maha Metro, BMC, and related bodies to function as a unified team to ensure public safety and maintain service continuity.
A comprehensive presentation at the meeting detailed the current monsoon readiness measures. Dedicated emergency control rooms have been established by both MMRDA and Maha Metro, with 24/7 response teams in place. In addition, 114 km of barricades have been removed to ease traffic, and 107 critical points across the city have been equipped with water pumps. Nineteen ambulances have been strategically deployed near metro construction zones.
Following the metro review, Shelar chaired another meeting with the State Health Department and BMC officials to assess the current Covid-19 situation and healthcare preparedness.
Source: Hans India
