Chalk out plan to integrate railways with metro: Piyush Goyal

Mumbai: Union minister Piyush Goyal has asked railway officials to come forward with a proposal with keeping the Metro lines in mind and has also suggested that they shelve the Bandra-Virar elevated corridor as it is difficult. The minister had already expressed his displeasure at the cost of the elevated corridors during the marathon meeting that took place after the Elphinstone stampede on September 29.

The meeting was held with Mr Goyal in Breach Candy and partly at Churchgate, an official said, “The minister has said that the western railways elevated corridor is highly unlikely and clashes with the metro line, which is why he has asked us to come up with a plan keeping all the Metro lines in mind.”

The minister is said to also have gone over the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) that will reduce the time between the two services and asked officials to rework the initial plan that was proposed on the Harbour line. An official said, “The minister has also asked that a comprehensive plan be made and sent to him in a week, after which deliberations will be made.” The plan will be discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the official further added, “The discussion with the CM  on how to reduce the crowd.”