India, Feb. 22 -- High drama unfolded in the early hours of Saturday during the installation of two girders for Metro Line 2B (DN Nagar-Mandale) above the Halav bridge in Kurla. Local residents protested against the 3.5m reduced height between the metro viaduct and the existing bridge saying it would obstruct the movement of heavy vehicles such as school buses, fire engines and ambulance.

While residents had long been demanding that the surface-to-girder height be maintained at 5.5m, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), had said that the height restriction was kept at 3.5m due to airport funnel zone restrictions, since the project fell within a zone where aviation height restrictions apply.

In response, opposing...