Abandoned Metro Station Near Bandra’s National College Reconsidered

The upcoming Maharashtra state assembly elections have reignited interest in the abandoned metro station project near RD National College in Bandra West. Initially proposed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the Metro Line 2B, the project was shelved in September 2023 after years of delays and contention with local residents. The plan is now under fresh scrutiny, with two prominent candidates advocating for its revival to serve the densely populated area, particularly along the SV Road corridor.

The original plan, drafted by the MMRDA, aimed to position the metro station near National College, on SV Road. However, the discovery of a micro-tunnel at the site led officials to relocate the station in 2016 to Tata Blocks near Sadhu Vaswani Garden. The construction at the new location, at the busy intersection of SV Road, Linking Road, Turner Road, and Station Road, sparked opposition from residents who objected to the planned removal of trees in the garden. These residents, in their commitment to preserving Bandra’s green spaces, garnered support from BJP representatives to oppose the station’s relocation.

In September 2023, the MMRDA formally abandoned plans for the station. This left Bandra with the nearest metro station under construction near Mohammed Rafi Chowk, along with another at Saraswat Nagar in Santacruz. Many locals and officials, including a former Bandra councilman, are now campaigning to resurrect the station near National College, underscoring the need for better connectivity along the 2.5-kilometre stretch that serves thousands of residents, businesses, educational institutions, and shopping areas.

A critical factor in the renewed push is the completion of the micro-tunnelling work, which officials now say makes it feasible to construct a pillar near the original inspection chamber. This, they argue, removes the initial challenges that forced the relocation. The former councilman insists that the additional metro station would significantly improve accessibility, relieve traffic, and create a safer, more efficient transit system for the community. While the BJP official had originally supported scrapping the station, he has recently reversed his stance, now backing the project if it returns to the National College site. He stated that this change is consistent with his commitment to addressing civic infrastructure needs in Bandra, particularly in light of the upcoming elections.

Local groups, such as the Bandra Tata Blocks Welfare Association, have also expressed cautious support for the project on the condition that it remains close to National College and away from Sadhu Vaswani Garden, which would mitigate concerns over environmental impacts. However, these groups are awaiting updates from the MMRDA on any revived plans. The fate of the Bandra metro station remains a topic of debate. With assembly elections on the horizon, it is yet to be seen whether the renewed political will can align with residents’ demands to see the station finally realised.