In order to give a push to the mass transit system, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has set aside $244 million (Rs 1250 crore) out of the $1 billion (Rs 4825 crore) yearly budget for the development of Metro Rail and Mono Rail in the financial year of 2012-2013.
The yearly budget was approved recently by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Pritviraj Chauhan, who is also the head of MMRDA.
The spending includes $176 million for the Mono Rail Project.
MMRDA has set aside $20 million for the completion of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro corridor, $28 million for the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro corridor and $20 million for the Colaba-BKC-Seepz Metro corridor, totalling $68 million (Rs.338-crore) for Metro Rail Project.
The MMRDAofficial said:
“The Detailed Project Report for the metro rail corridor is ready and the appointment of interim consultants, agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for loan, invitation to global players for bids and selection of the best bidder and beginning the construction are the key areas the Authority will be looking forward to in the ensuing financial year.”
In the budget, the agency has also said, the $1.8 billion 22km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MHTL) RFQ process will be completed this month and the project will be awarded by November 2012.
Apart from Metro Rail, Monorail projects, MMRDA has also decided to invest $58 million (Rs 290 crore) for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-II (MUTP-II) for the betterment of the suburban rail system.
The development of fifth and sixth line between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) (formerly Victoria Terminus) to Kurla, providing additional line from Thane to Diva, sixth line from Mumbai Central to Borivali, extension of Harbour line from Andheri to Goregaon is one of the few key projects that will remain the focus of the project.
