Mumbai Metro-Bullet Train Connectivity: In a major connectivity boosting measure, the Mumbai Metro is likely to connect its two lines to India's first bullet train project at the city's Bandra Kurla Station (BKC). The officials said that the plans are also under consideration to develop buildings and commercial complexes around it.

The plan is to connect the bullet train to two Metro Lines namely 3 (Cuffe Parade to Array Colony) and 2B (DN Nagar to Mandale). Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, is currently operational on the first phase from Aarey to BKC, while Line 2B is under construction.

Tunnel to link Line 3, FOB to link Line 2B

As per the plan, there will be an underground tunnel with a travelator connecting the bullet train BKC station to Metro Line-3's Kotak-BKC station and a foot over bridge (FOB) linking IL&FS station on Line-2B.

The plan to link the metro with the Bullet train is a part of the larger multi-modal integration (MMI) to link the Mumbai High Speed Rail (HSR) station to local transport in the financial capital to provide seamless travel.

High-level meeting convened

A high-level meeting of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) was held on July 1 in this regard.

During the meeting, NHSRCL informed that it has planned to carve out a tunnel during the ongoing construction of Mumbai HSR, a part of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail.

The official said, "This tunnel would be 1.1 km long and connect to Line-3 at the Kotak-BKC station". He added that the location of the tunnel has been identified.

However, he added, "The intricacies of who will bore this tunnel, its cost, and other details are not chalked out yet." The NHSRCL official said that they have planned four connecting outlets to link the station to nearby areas.

The cost of linking the stations with a tunnel will be around Rs 100-Rs 150 crore. The BKC HSR and Kotak-BKC tunnel will resemble subways built at SMT and Churchgate railway stations with shops on either side. For line 2B, the FOB is planned as the metro station comes next to the bullet train station.