The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has earmarked Rs.402.60 crore, in its budget for 2015-16, towards phase-II of the monorail project from Wadala Depot to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk or Jacob Circle. Ongoing work on phase-II is expected to be completed in 2016.
Phase-I of Mumbai Monorail from Chembur to Wadala Depot was inaugurated in February 2014.
The monorail is part of several ongoing and new infrastructure projects proposed in the Rs.3,832-crore MMRDA budget for the next financial year.
Besides monorail, the budget has given priority to critical projects such as Mumbai Urban Transport Project, Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ metro corridor, flyovers and creek bridges, and development of road network.
MMRDA has approved the construction of two flyovers and an elevated road at Chheda Nagar along the Eastern Express Highway. The estimated cost of this project is Rs.249.29 crore.
The Authority has made a provision of Rs.1,005 crore for Mumbai Urban Transport Project-I & II. The projects under this scheme include development of fifth and sixth line between CST and Kurla on Central Railway, sixth line between Mumbai Central and Borivli on Western Railway, extension of Harbour Line from Andheri to Goregaon, conversion of DC to AC, procurement of latest EMU rakes and maintenance and stabling of the rakes, and station area improvement among others.
“The intent is to provide easy, comfortable and congestion-free commute within the city and its metropolitan region,” Maharashtra Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Devendra Fadnavis said. “The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor is crucial too. It will provide noticeable relief to suburban commuters. We have spared a sizeable amount (Rs.180 crore) provision for the corridor.
The allocation of Rs.758.50 crore towards the Extended Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project will see the widening and improvement of NH-8 (Arnala-Virar-Shirsad), SH-35 (Kalyan-BadlapurKarjat-Hal Phata), SH-38 (Karjat-Hal Phata) and SH-43 (Katai-Naka-Badlapur) road stretches.
The construction of flyovers at Vanjarpatti, Rajnoli, Mankoli, a creek bridge over Revas (from Revas to Karanja), and two bridges at Mankoli-Motegaon road and Kalyan-Bhiwandi on NH-222 near Ulhas creek are also included under MUIP.
The project further includes broadening and improvement of road network from Takka Colony to Palaspe Phata on NH-4; Khopoli City, Bhiwandi and Kalyan ring roads; and link road connecting Shirgaon Phata and Badlapur. It also includes repairs and beautification of Neral-Dasturi Road and Dasturi-Matheran Road and exhibition spots at Matheran.
The Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project has also received a boost of Rs.161.47 crore, to be spent on completion of the northern arm of the Kherwadi flyover at Bandra; undertaking the construction of BKC connector from ‘G’ block to Chunabhatti and Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road among others.
Also, “We are seeking the final go-ahead for the implementation of the Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavli metro corridor,” said UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
The priority accorded to the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ metro corridor has been underlined by the allocation of Rs.180 crore for the project. The Authority has also sanctioned Rs.27.50 crore for studies and surveys for the Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd and Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane metro corridors.
“A few projects such as Eastern Freeway, Sahar Elevated Road and Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road 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.
Besides, MMRDA has also made provision for various other projects such as improvement of Bandra-Kurla Complex (Rs.65.45 crore), Wadala Truck Terminal (Rs.65.51 crore), development and protection of Mithi River (Rs.32 crore), and development of water resources in MMR (Rs.87.90 crore).
PROJECT ALLOCATIONS FOR 2015-16
No. | Projects | Amount (Rs. Crore) |
1 | Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project | 161.47 |
2 | Extended Mumbai urban Infrastructure Project | 758.5 |
3 | Mumbai Metro Rail Project – Versova-Ghatkopar Andheri | 35.5 |
4 | Wadala Truck Terminal | 65.51 |
5 | Bandra-Kurla Complex | 65.45 |
6 | Development and protection of Mithi River | 32 |
7 | Skywalks, FOBs and transport system around railway stations | 31.84 |
8 | Monorail Project – Phase-II | 402.6 |
9 | Rental houses with infrastructure facilities | 60 |
10 | R&R amenities | 43.63 |
11 | Development of water resources | 87.9 |
12 | Mumbai Metro projects | 207.5 |
13 | Mumbai Urban Transport Project – Phase-I & II | 1,005 |
14 | Loans to urban local bodies | 308 |
15 | Surveys, studies and grants | 33.68 |
16 | Miscellaneous projects | 229.54 |
17 | Administrative and capital expenses | 153.98 |
18 | Security deposits and other expenses | 150.2 |
Total | 3,832.3 |
Source: MMRDA