Mumbai Metro lines 2A, 7 to be delayed as COVID-19 crisis disrupts work.

Mumbaikars waiting for the completion of Metro lines 2A and 7 may have to wait for at least 3-4 months more than the original estimated time due to the disruption in the work owing to COVID-19 crisis.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has pushed a large number of labourers employed by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority or MMRDA back to their villages, leading to an anticipated delay of at least 3-4 months in the Metro projects beyond the current December deadline.

MMRDA is a government body responsible for the development of the city's infrastructure, including roads, flyovers, bridges and the Metro.

"We are constantly assessing and re-assessing our timelines in light of the lockdown. Initially, we thought it will be a one month delay, but we realized it will be difficult after the mass exodus of laborers," R A Rajeev, commissioner, MMRDA, told CNBC-TV18.

"The delay is completely in the realm of uncertainty at present. Today there is a delay of three-four months. Metro lines 7 and 2A which were to start in December may go up to March or April next year, but this is only as of today. But if two-three months, the same situation prevails, timelines will have to be revised again," he said.

The Metro Line 2A between Dahisar and DN Nagar is slated to be a 8.6 km long elevated corridor connecting 17 stations across Western and Central Mumbai, and the Northern suburbs. Line 7, on the other head, will connect Andheri East and Dahisar East, encompassing thirteen stations. It will also provide inter-connectivity among the existing Western Express Highway, Western Railway, Metro Line 1, the ongoing Metro Line 2A and the proposed Metro Line 6.

At present, close to 75 percent of the labour force required to execute the projects has migrated back to their native places in the states of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The MMRDA does not employ a significant number of workers from Maharashtra, given they're skilled for industrial jobs such as electronic repairs and plumbing.

"In addition to labour force , we require materials such as steel, cement, different steel bridges to be fabricated, machines and equipment to be manufactured and delivered," Rajeev told CNBC-TV18, adding that movement of imported equipment such as escalators and elevators is now smooth, but labour force is missing to complete the installation process.

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