Question

The rail-based mass rapid transit system in Mumbai has been awarded to a consortium of companies led by

• A. Reliance Infrastructure
• B. Reliance Industries
• C. GMR Infrastructure
• D. Lanco Infrastructure

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The rail-based mass rapid transit system in Mumbai, popularly known as the Mumbai Metro, was one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects undertaken to reduce traffic congestion and provide a modern public transport system in the city. The project was awarded to a consortium of companies led by Reliance Infrastructure (earlier known as Reliance Energy Limited), a part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG).

Step 1 — Background of the project:
• Mumbai, being India’s financial capital, has extremely high population density and one of the busiest suburban railway networks in the world.
• To reduce pressure on local trains and road transport, a metro rail system was proposed as a long-term solution.
• In 2007, the first phase of the project — Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar corridor — was planned as part of a larger metro master plan for the city.

Step 2 — Awarding of the project:
• The Government of Maharashtra, through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), invited bids for the development of the metro on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• A consortium led by Reliance Infrastructure, along with partners Veolia Transport (France) and MMRDA, won the contract.
• The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created for the project was called Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL).

Step 3 — Significance:
• Reliance Infrastructure became the first private company to build, operate, and maintain a metro rail system in India.
• The involvement of international expertise (Veolia) ensured that global standards of metro rail operation and safety were incorporated.
• The project was a landmark in India’s PPP model of urban infrastructure development.

Final Answer:
The rail-based mass rapid transit system in Mumbai was awarded to a consortium of companies led by Reliance Infrastructure. This corresponds to Option (A).