Mumbai News: Byculla, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar To Get Metro Connectivity via Line-11; Residents Welcome Relief From Traffic Woes

Residents of Byculla, Nagpada, and Bhendi Bazaar have welcomed plans by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to connect the localities to the city's expanding Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system through the underground Metro Line-11.

Daily Traffic Woes in Central Mumbai

These areas are currently not connected to any MRT, forcing residents to rely on buses, taxis, and two-wheelers. Syed Ashrafi, a resident of Bhendi Bazaar, said that the area experiences road traffic congestion between 9 am and 8 pm on most days. "Traffic jams are perpetual in Byculla, Mohammad Ali Road, and Nagpada. Bikes are the only way to avoid the congestion. An underground Metro will be faster and cheaper," said Ashrafi

Yusuf Abrahani, a former Congress MLA who is now with the Samajwadi Party, said the traffic congestion is so severe that it is impossible to drive even a two-wheeler in the area. "This is the centre of the city and its most congested area; you cannot ignore the area. The Metro will connect Sir J J Hospital, Crawford Market (Mahatma Phule Mandai), and Bhendi Bazaar. The redevelopment of buildings without any setback for the widening of roads has worsened traffic," said Abrahani.

High Passenger Volumes Expected

The news that the proposed Nagpada Junction Metro station will be near his house is good news for Sayeed Khan, a social activist. "People need connectivity. Irregular parking and narrow lanes affect mobility in these areas. Passenger volumes will be very high," said Khan.

Ishtiyaq Ahmed, a garment businessman from Bhendi Bazaar, said the project will also mitigate views that major infrastructure projects have bypassed the area. One major project, the Sir J J Road viaduct, was built to bypass the area's traffic jams and offers very little relief to residents. "When we read reports about Metro 11, we are overjoyed. Colaba, Worli, and other areas unconnected by rail now have a Metro connection. This area was ignored for a long time," said Ahmed.

Local political leaders are vying to take credit for the project's early completion. Mumbadevi's Congress Member of the Legislative Assembly, Amin Patel, recently wrote to the government to name Bhendi Bazaar station after Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, one of the founders of the Khilafat Movement, and another station near Madanpura after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first minister of education in independent India. "The earlier plan was to have a route along P D'Mello Road, parallel to the harbour line railway. The government realised that the route would not have much passenger traffic. I met the principal secretary and former managing director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, Ashwini Bhide, eight days ago to discuss the project," said Patel.

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Political Leaders Stake Claim to Project

The Samajwadi Party, which is seeking a revival in the area, stated that its party leader, Abu Asim Azmi, was the first to ask for the diversion of the Metro to these areas. "It is in the house records," said Abrahani. The party's MLA Rais Shaikh, who represents Bhiwandi East, recently urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to grant immediate approval to the proposed line, saying that the project will significantly ease the daily commute for lakhs of citizens in the densely populated localities. "The densely populated areas of south Mumbai including Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, Mohammad Ali Road, and Mahatma Phule Mandai are critically underserved by mass transit. Metro Line-11 will greatly reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and provide much-needed relief to daily commuters," said Shaikh.

Concerns Over Impact on Old Buildings

There are concerns that the digging for the Metro tunnels could damage the area's old buildings. However, Patel said that the Metro 3 underground route, which is nearing completion, serves as a model. "Right now, work is going on near Sir J Dharamshala, Nagpada. Every infrastructure project has its challenges. We will monitor the work," Patel added.