26 March,2015 08:20 PM IST | | A correspondent
Chief Minister Chairman Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday approved Rs. 3,832.30 crore budget for the year 2015-16 presented by Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) during the 137th Authority meeting
Mumbai Metro, a project by MMRDA
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday approved Rs. 3,832.30 crore budget for the year 2015-16 presented by Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) during the 137th Authority meeting.
The key factors about the budget is that it prioritises on crucial projects such as Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro corridor, second phase of Monorail, flyovers, creek bridges, development of road network for the city and also the Metropolitan Region.
It should be noted that the authority has also approved construction of two flyovers and an elevated road at Chheda Nagar to get rid of the traffic chaos that is being created by the innumerable vehicles assimilating at Chheda Nagar from the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road and the Eastern Freeway. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 249.29 crore.
The Authority has made a very strong budgetary provision of Rs.1,005 crore for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-I and II. The various tasks undertaken are development of 5th and 6th line between CST and Kurla, Mumbai Central to Borivli 6th line, extending Harbour line from Andheri to Goregaon, converting DC to AC, procurement of latest EMU rakes, maintenance and stabling of EMU rakes, strengthening of technical and institutional support, station area improvement etc.
The intent is to provide easy, comfortable and congestion-free commute within the city and its metropolitan region, said Devendra Fadnavis. The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor is crucial too. That will provide a noticeable relief to the suburban commuters and also the reason we have spared a sizeable (Rs.180 crore) provision for the corridor, the Chief Minister further added.
The allocation of Rs.758.50 crore provides impetus to the Extended Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project. The widening and improvement of NH-8 Arnala-Virar-Shirsad, SH-35 Kalyan-Badlapur-Karjat-Hal Phata, SH-38 Karjat to Hal Phata, SH-43 Katai-Naka-Badlapur is part of this endeavour. The construction of flyovers at Vanjarpatti, Rajnoli, Mankoli, a creek-bridge over Revas creek from Revas and Karanja and two bridges at Mankoli-Motegaon road and Kalyan-Bhiwandi NH-222 near Ulhas creek is also included under the project. The project further includes broadening and improvement of a road network from Takka Colony to Palaspe Phata on NH-4, Khopoli City Ring Road, Bhiwandi Ring Road, Kalyan Ring Road and the link road connecting Shirgaon Phata and Badlapur. The project further includes repairs and beautification of Neral-Dasturi Road, Dasturi-Matheran Road and exhibition spots at Matheran.
The Authority will continue to make provision of funds for more crucial infra projects to be implemented in the metropolitan region. This includes flyovers, ROBs, creek bridges, road network etc. We are also seeking the final go-ahead for the implementation of the Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavli Metro corridor", said UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
The Authority has spared Rs.402.60 crore for the second phase of Monorail project from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk. The work on the second phase is being chased on war footing and is expected to be completed next year.
The priority afforded to the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro corridor has been underlined by the allocation of Rs.180-crore kitty for the same. This Metro corridor will, for sure, provide major relief to the commuters traveling on the Western suburban line. The Authority has further sanctioned Rs.27.50 crore for studies and surveys for the Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd and Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane Metro corridors.
The Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project has received a boost of Rs.161.47 crore and will aim at the completion of Northern arm of the Kherwadi flyover in April, undertaking the construction of BKC Connector running from Block to Chunabhatti, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road among others.
"The Authority is committed to provide hassle-free commute to the city-folk. A few projects such as Eastern Freeway, Sahar Elevated Road, SCLR etc. have proved to be a boon to the commuters. I think we are witnessing positive results for the efforts taken by the Authority, said Sanjay Sethi, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, and Project Director, MUTP.
The Authority has also made provision for various other projects such as improvement of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (Rs.65.45 crore), Wadala Truck Terminal (Rs.65.51 crore), development and protection of Mithi River (Rs.32 crore), development of water resources in MMR (Rs.87.90 crore) etc.
