Mumbai Metro Line 7A has encountered a major technical hurdle that could force authorities to rebuild nearly 1 km of its elevated viaduct in Vile Parle East, potentially putting construction work valued at around Rs 250 crore at risk.
The issue concerns the height required for overhead equipment (OHE), which supplies electricity to the Metro trains. According to a report by The Indian Express, the OHE needs approximately 2.5 metres of additional clearance beyond the limit permitted under existing Airports Authority of India (AAI) approvals for the airport funnel zone.
Metro Line 7A is a 3.42-km extension of the operational Red Line 7, planned to connect Andheri East with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The latest technical complication could further delay the corridor’s expected opening.
Clearance mismatch discovered after construction
AAI had issued no-objection certificates for the project in 2022. However, the additional clearance required for the OHE was reportedly not incorporated into the original design.
The discrepancy came to light in 2025, by which time much of the affected civil infrastructure had already been completed. Construction on the concerned section was subsequently halted while authorities sought revised clearance from AAI.
The disputed stretch in Vile Parle East includes the proposed Airport Colony station, an elevated viaduct and a ramp. The line comprises around 2.5 km of underground alignment and approximately 940 metres of elevated construction.
Reconstruction could be costly
MMRDA data cited by The Indian Express indicated that the elevated viaduct had reached 100% completion by February 2026, while about 95% of the elevated ramp was also complete. Work at Airport Colony station had similarly progressed substantially.
Authorities are therefore attempting to find an engineering solution that can resolve the clearance problem without dismantling and rebuilding the completed structures.
MMRDA seeks technical solution
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is working with project consultant Systra and AAI to address the issue. Civil consultancy for the project is being undertaken by a consortium comprising Systra, CEG and SMCIPL.
The report quoted an MMRDA official as saying that discussions were underway to identify a workable solution, but the technical requirements could not simply be resolved through compromise.
If an acceptable solution cannot be developed, reconstruction of the affected elevated section could become unavoidable, potentially increasing costs and pushing the Metro Line 7A timeline further.
Source: Financial Express
