• Source:JND
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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority formed a ‘high-level’ committee to look into the overcrowding issue on Metro Line 1, running between Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar. The panel was constituted a day after a huge crowd gathered at Ghatkopar and Andheri following a technical issue. 

MMRDA, in a statement on Tuesday, said that it understands that the 11-year-old metro line is encountering operational problems. It is operated by Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), a special-purpose vehicle in which the government body holds a 26% stake. Anil Ambani-led Reliance holds the remaining 74 per cent stake in the metro. 

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The statement released by MMRDA assured the commuters that the authority is taking the matter seriously. The statement further read, “A high-level committee under the leadership of a former chief secretary will be constituted immediately. MMRDA will also engage with the operator to seek immediate improvements and ensure a reliable and comfortable commuting experience.”

Chief Secretary Johny Joseph will chair the panel, Hindustan Times reported, quoting sources. Earlier, Joseph headed a committee to calculate Metro 1’s valuation, as the state government had plans to acquire the metro line that’s currently operated on a public-private partnership basis.

A new committee has been formed to review the recent series of service disruptions on the Mumbai Metro, particularly the overcrowding issues at Ghatkopar station. The committee will assess measures to address these problems and improve the passenger experience.

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On the other hand, MMOPL said it is working on redeveloping the current four-coach trains on Metro 1 to 6. MMOPL plans to ease congestion by adding more coaches and restarting short-loop services between Ghatkopar and Andheri, benefiting 88% of Metro 1's riders.