Finally, Mumbai gets its Metro

Mumbai, June 8 (IANS) Maharashtra’s first Metro Rail was inaugurated with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan showing a green flag to the maiden Mumbai Metro service amid cheers by a large crowd of onlookers on Sunday morning.

The inauguration of the first rail corridor linking east-west Mumbai suburbs between Versova and Ghatkopar proceeded smoothly despite a bitter controversy over passenger fares.

In order to attract and familiarise Mumbaikars with the Metro, the Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) and Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. (MMOPL) have announced a month-long promotional fare of Rs.10 one-way. The first service for the public will start around noon on Sunday.

In a statement, RInfra announced a month-long one-way promotional fare of Rs.10 between any two stations on the 11.40-km long Metro Rail.

"This promotional fare is notwithstanding the initial fare fixed and notified separately on initial opening of the Metro Railway under Central Metro Act," the MMOPL has said.

"The beginning of the commercial operation of Mumbai Metro is a historical moment for the city of Mumbai. It will change the life of Mumbaikars and the way they commute everyday," said MMOPL CEO Abhay Mishra.

The regular services will be operated daily from 5.30 a.m. and continue till midnight with a total of 16 rakes deployed on the line, serving the glamour and IT centres of Versova and the business and manufacturing areas of Ghatkopar at a whopping top speed of 80 kmph.

Each coach of the colourful four-coach rakes has a capacity of around 375 commuters, with a total capacity of around 1,500 commuters per service. The Metro will be zooming above the city between the two points – Versova-Ghatkopar – with a total of 12 elevated stations en route.