Construction on a key section of Mumbai Metro Line 7A, the 3.4-km corridor planned to connect Andheri East with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has encountered a technical hurdle related to the height of its overhead electrification (OHE) system.
The issue has emerged on the elevated section near the proposed Airport Colony station in Vile Parle East. According to MMRDA officials, the OHE installation requires approximately 2.5 metres of additional height beyond the limit permitted under applicable aviation restrictions.
The discrepancy was identified in 2025, by which time significant civil construction on the affected stretch had already been completed. The height issue has raised concerns over whether the existing elevated structure can accommodate the electrical system while complying with airport-related height regulations.
MMRDA has attributed responsibility for coordinating the project’s design and statutory approvals, including aviation restrictions, to its General Consultant, the SYSTRA-CEG-SMCIPL consortium. The authority has said the additional clearance needed for OHE was not adequately incorporated into the design at the relevant stage.
SYSTRA, however, has disputed responsibility for the issue. The matter is currently before the Airports Authority of India (AAI), whose technical assessment regarding the permissible height is awaited.
MMRDA has said it will conduct a detailed engineering review after receiving the AAI’s assessment before deciding how to proceed. Depending on the findings, modifications to the existing structure could be required.
The issue is significant because construction on the affected elevated section is already at an advanced stage. Data cited by MMRDA indicates that the elevated viaduct had been completed, while around 95% of the elevated ramp had been constructed by February 2026.
If the additional height required for the OHE cannot be accommodated within the aviation restrictions and no viable engineering solution is identified, sections of the elevated infrastructure could potentially require reconstruction.
Metro Line 7A is planned as an important link between the northern suburbs and the airport. At the airport, the corridor is designed to connect with the underground Metro Line 3, creating a direct interchange for passengers travelling between the suburban network and the airport.
The final technical assessment by the AAI is therefore expected to determine the next course of action for the affected section of the project.
Source: Millennium Post
