Mumbai developers approached MMRC to get direct access to Metro stations through their projects.

As the real estate market is still in a major slump, some of the biggest developers have found a new way of drawing customers to their high-end projects. They also addressed Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to provide them with direct access to the underground stations of the 33.5 km Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro-3 from their current or projected plots.

The Dubai Metro and New York metro stations have direct connections to swanky buildings and malls. There has been a strong interest in all seven property companies including DB Realty, K Raheja and Oberoi. In December 2019, the MMRC received those requests by expressing its interest.

Sources in MMRC indicated that K Raheja has searched this facility for its three buildings, including JW Marriott hotel near the international airport terminal and two other plots near the Science Museum station.

Indiabulls Blu project is looking at Acharya Atrey Chowk station, while the BKC and the Science Museum is been eyed by DB Realty for its plots at Tata Colony and Jijamata Nagar. In Mumbai, all of these are prime properties. Exclusive access will further enhance their value.

“We told these developers that we would build these special metro stations to link their property to the underground stations, but they will bear the cost,” said an MMRC official.

This ensures the MMRC produces a whole passageway to the building or plot when the underground station is finished. The subway will open directly at the metro station where you can get to the fare window.

The traffic congestion in these stations is also expected to decrease. On the Metro-3 line, MMRCL expects 13 lakh commuters each day.

Comparing foreign cities, a Mumbai-based developer said: “The metro station in Dubai is situated inside the Dubai Mall from which Burj Khalifa, a prime tourist attraction, is just a kilometre away.” One of the DB Realty spokesperson said that “The MMRCL has approached all Metro line, 3 landowners, for direct access; therefore our proposal has been submitted.”

Vikas Oberoi, CMD, Oberoi Realty says that “Around the world, all metro stations have been designed to be linked with the adjacent property so that commuters feel comfortable. In fact, most municipal corporations make it compulsory for developers to make sure that their properties are connected to metro stations, wherever possible.

R Ramana, Executive Director of Planning, MMRC, explained the initiative as follows. “Direct access is an initiative of the MMRCL, through a collaborative approach, to integrate public infrastructure into neighbourhood developments, thereby increasing last-mile connectivity; decreasing the number of vehicles on the road and parking needs.” Sources in MMRC also said that they are thinking of levying a one-time premium to these developers for providing this facility.