Project Consultant Breaches Funnel Norms, Mumbaikars to Pay the Price
Mumbai: The fate of the much-delayed Mumbai Metro 7A—connecting Gundavali to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport—now hangs in the balance due to a major engineering oversight that could result in additional time and cost overruns.
During the construction phase, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) discovered that the general consultant, SYSTRA MVA Consulting, had breached airport funnel zone norms, leading to a 2.9-meter height discrepancy in the project’s design. This serious lapse has halted construction indefinitely, as the metro line now poses a potential risk to aviation safety.
In a bid to salvage the situation, the state government has approached the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for a relaxation of the funnel zone norms and approval of a revised plan. However, senior government officials acknowledge that getting the green light from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry will be an uphill task. The Centre has maintained a strict stance on flight path safety and funnel zone regulations, making approvals uncertain.
Escalating Costs and Potential Structural Demolition
The Metro 7A project is already delayed by over five years, and this latest setback is likely to extend the timeline further. As a result of previous delays, the project’s cost has already ballooned by ₹900 crore, and further modifications—if required—could push expenses even higher. If the Centre denies approval, the design will need further alterations, which may even require the demolition of portions of the structure already built, sources admitted.
Pressure to Shield the Consultant Despite Irregularities
Despite this massive blunder and the financial burden on taxpayers, sources claim that powerful forces are pressuring the MMRDA to refrain from taking strict action against SYSTRA MVA Consulting. This is not the first time the consultant has been embroiled in controversies.
SYSTRA, a multinational engineering and consulting group headquartered in France, has been previously linked to multiple irregularities in India. The company prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail), which came under scrutiny for submitting false data.
Adding another layer of complexity to the controversy, the French embassy has now become involved after the consultant alleged harassment when confronted with accountability over the Mumbai Metro 7A fiasco.
Global Scrutiny and Potential World Bank Debarment
SYSTRA’s record has drawn scrutiny not just in India but also on the international stage. In a prior agreement, the company’s subsidiary, Systra India (SAI), acknowledged responsibility for sanctionable practices in another project. As per the settlement terms, if the company fails to meet its corporate compliance obligations, it will face debarment with conditional release, effectively making it ineligible to participate in World Bank-financed projects until it meets the conditions outlined in the agreement.
Political Fallout Expected in Budget Session
With the Opposition gearing up to attack the government over this costly oversight, the controversy surrounding Mumbai Metro 7A is set to dominate the upcoming budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature. The government now finds itself in a precarious position—balancing public scrutiny, financial losses, and diplomatic sensitivities—all while racing against time to prevent further escalation of costs and delays.
