The mumbaikars are desperately waiting to see the city’s first Metro chugging along 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro corridor after it has received the final safety clearance certificate from the commissioner of metro railway safety.  But the authorities are yet to confirm an opening ceremony date as they are awaiting approval for the rolling stock from the railway board.

Rolling stock comprises the rakes and wheel of the Metro that move on the track.
 

The R-Infra that sponsored Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) had stated, passengers can travel in the Metro within seven days of the safety clearance from the CMRS.

“After a thorough safety check on April 28, the CMRS has permitted to open the line. Now, we are only awaiting approval of the rolling stock from the railway board, for which the papers have been submitted on April 22. We will open the line for commercial usage within seven days of getting this approval,” said an MMOPL spokesperson.
 

MMRDA chief U P S Madan said, “The Metro will be opened only after the final clearance on the rolling stock.”
 

The further barrier to its inauguration is fare fixation. The state had fixed a fare of Rs 9 to Rs 13 for this Metro corridor, but MMOPL had wanted fare to be higher as it did not even cover the operating cost.
 

The firm had said they are allowed to fix the opening fare as per the relevant provisions of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002. For subsequent fare revision, MMOPL can fix the fare another time after acquiring the fare fixation committee’s recommendation.