September 12, 2025: The decision to cancel the proposed National College Metro station on the Dahisar East–Mandale Metro Line 2B has triggered controversy, with former Congress corporator Asif Zakaria alleging that the move was designed to pave the way for monetisation of a prime railway plot in Bandra West.
In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Zakaria described the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) August decision as “arbitrary” and “against public interest”. He dismissed the official justification — the relocation of a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sewerage chamber — as a mere pretext.
“Citizens and stakeholders strongly allege that the sewage chamber was used as an excuse. This amounts to prioritising real estate profits over much-needed public infrastructure,” Zakaria wrote, urging the state government to revoke the stay order and reinstate the Metro station.
The land at the heart of the row spans five to six acres, adjacent to the Western Railway tracks and the G7 multiplex in Bandra West. Currently occupied by 35 to 40 two- to three-storey staff quarters, the site is among the oldest in the area, with buildings dating back to 1955–57. Indian Railways is reportedly considering a redevelopment plan for the plot, which Zakaria claims would benefit from the station’s cancellation.
The National College Metro station had been considered a key stop on Line 2B, which aims to connect Dahisar East with Mandale, easing congestion and improving east–west connectivity in the city. Its cancellation has raised concerns among local residents and commuters who argue that Bandra West requires stronger transport links, not fewer.
The controversy adds to ongoing disputes surrounding the city’s Metro expansion, with critics questioning whether public transport planning is being compromised by competing commercial interests.
Source: The Times Of India
