The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in a latest development is offering space for commercial and retail use at Metro Line 2A (Dahisar to DN Nagar) and 7 (Dahisar East --Andheri East) stations on rent basis to set up shops and kiosks. The license period for block space will be for 15 years and for kiosks will be for seven years. It has floated a tender recently inviting interested agencies. The last date of bid submission is July 14 till 5pm.
"Through renting out the space at metro stations MMRDA aims to earn some revenue which will be useful for the metro operations eventually. It is part of non-fare box revenue," said an MMRDA official who did not wish to be named.
The MMRDA has geared up with the starting of Metro Line 2A and 7 by January next year completely for the public use. Before that a 20 kilometre stretch between Kamraj Nagar and Aarey will be open to public. Reportedly, a trial run on said stretch has already been started in presence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on May 31st. The said trial run will continue for another four months at least.
"As 93 per cent of civil work on both Metro Lines 2A and 7 has been completed and now system work is going on in full speed. We are also focussing on ancillary activities. As part of it, MMRDA is offering space on rent at stations," said the official.
Interested parties have to make an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 5 lakh so to participate in the bidding process.
According to the MMRDA once the two metro lines are opened for public use substantial traffic on Western Express Highway and those who are travelling from the western suburban local trains will be diverted to metro. At least 12 percent of those travelling in local trains and 25 percent of motorists travelling on WEH to be shift onto Metro 7 and 2A as per the traffic study.
The offical asserted, "As reasonable ridership is expected on both these metro lines renting out space for commercial and retail use will benefit the agencies interested in it."
As on April 30, the MMRDA has spent Rs 3525 crore on Metro 2A and Rs 2410 crore for Metro 7.