MMRDA budget: Infrastructure gets top billing

Infrastructure in Mumbai is likely to get an overhaul as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) approved a budget of Rs 3,832 crore. Major infrastructure projects that will get a boost from the budget include Metro projects, an elevated road at Chembur and several railway works. The budget was approved on Thursday at an MMRDA meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The Maharashtra government has identified the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a core area of focus, and the MMRDA budget estimates for 2015-16 largely concentrate on Mumbai city. As much as 53 per cent, about Rs 2,050 cr, of the authority’s total budget outlays, is for works in Mumbai city such as Metro Railway corridors, the second phase of the monorail, improvements in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Wadala Truck Terminus, a connector from BKC to the Eastern Express Highway and so on.

Mass Rapid Transport Projects get a boost

The development authority has budgeted Rs 1,005 crore, more than a fifth of the total pie, for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project for the development of additional lines between CST and Kurla, Mumbai Central and Borivali, extending harbor line till Goregaon, procurement of new rakes, station area improvement and so on.

The government has sanctioned Rs 190 crore for the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro III corridor. The project is expected to provide noticeable relief to suburban commuters and hence the government has marked a sizeable provision for the corridor. 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.

MMRDA has earmarked Rs 402.6 crore for the second phase of the Monorail project from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Jacob Circle). Work is expected to be completed next year.

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, Santacruz Chembur Link 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.

Extended areas in MMR to also benefit

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 bemum 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.

Allocation for Smart Cities in MMR

On the other hand, though the government has plans for smart cities in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) areas such as Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Kalwa, the MMRDA has set aside only Rs 906 crore for works in all urban agglomerations outside Mumbai. This amounts to less than 23 percent of the total budget.

Moreover, no funds have been separately set aside for smart cities or the ambitious Virar-Alibag Multi Modal Corridor designed to connect the areas in the Mumbai MMR through an express corridor.