Mumbai Metro-3 work should start by May 16: CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the process to begin work on Metro-3 should begin by May 16. At a meeting in the Mantralaya, he said, “Effective coordination amongst multiple agencies and officials have helped to advance the project by almost two years.”

Fadnavis reviewed the progress of more than 30 mega-projects, taken up on priority. The marathon meeting saw the chief minister monitor projects like Coastal Road, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Metro-3, Bhendi Bazar redevelopment and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

He urged officials to complete the request for quotation (RFQ) process for work contract and loan signing agreement for Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. The chief minister said, “The work should definitely begin by October 31.” The Navi Mumbai International Airport is scheduled to be operational by 2019, albeit with less passenger carrying capacity.

A senior officer revealed, “In case of redevelopment of Bhendi Bazar, there were some glitches which were discussed.” However, overall, projects are on track, he added.

Fadnavis also focussed on rehabilitation and land acquisition for irrigation projects — Bembla, Lower Wardha and Gosikhurd National Irrigation Project. In all these, there are issues over providing infrastructure in venues where villagers have relocated.

The state government’s decision to make online ration card through digitisation was also discussed. While 100 percent digitation of ration card is still awaited, 5.67 crore aadhaar card seeding has been completed. The chief minister said, “The digitisation of ration card and aadhaar card work should be complete before October 2016.”

THE INDIAN EXPRESS