New suburban trains, infra projects lined up for Mumbai next year

Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Friday announced it has planned a slew of infrastructure projects, including acquiring new suburban trains over the next year.

Approving a Rs.4,240.78 crore budget (2014-15), Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who is also the MMRDA's chairman, said that the priorities would be for crucial projects like Metro Rail, Mono Rail, flyovers, development of road networks and other critical projects in and around the city.

According primacy to better connectivity to the adjoining Raigad district, Rs.650 crore has been earmarked for four flyovers, a bridge over Revas Creek and two bridges near the Ulhas Creek, besides strengthening ring roads in Khopoli, Bhiwandi and Kalyan.

The MMRDA will also undertake repairs and beautification of the popular Neral-Dasturi-Matheran Road and tourist spots at Matheran, the tiny and India's only vehicle-free hill-station on the outskirts of Mumbai.

A sum of Rs.634 crore will go for the Metro Rail project, with a major chunk of Rs.500 crore towards the proposed Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Rail corridor.

The Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail corridor would be subjected to fresh studies since it will be implemented fully underground.

After the success of the country's first Monorail from Chembur to Wadala, the MMRDA plans to complete the second phase from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk by next year with an allocation of Rs.400 crore.

"We are already witnessing the response from commuters travelling in the city, outside the city and abroad after a few critical infrastructure facilities such as Metro Rail, Mono Rail, Eastern Freeway, Sahar Elevated Road etc were thrown open. All these are products of state's investment, MMRDA's persuasion and more importantly people's patience," Chavan said.

An amount of Rs.1,000 crore has been set aside for Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation's plans to purchase new suburban trains this year, he added.

MMRDA Commissioner U.P.S. Madan said that other major projects like water resources development, providing civic amenities in Bandra-Kurla Complex, the Sewri-Worli connector, Wadala Truck Terminus, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor will also be taken up this year.

"We have made a huge provision of funds for more crucial infra-projects and the fruits of the single-minded approaching to developing Mumbai and surroundings will soon be enjoyed by the people," he said.

Minister of State for Urban Development Uday Samant, city Mayor Sunil Prabhu, Chief Secretary J.S. Saharia and others were also present on the occasion.