Projects under MUTP get ₹578.70 crore in interim Budget.

The Centre has allocated ₹578.70 crore under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) in its interim Budget 2019-20. Crucially, the government has sanctioned ₹50 crore towards the ₹54,777-crore MUTP 3A. The project was announced in the 2018-19 Budget, and is awaiting a final sanction from the Union Cabinet.

In addition to various projects under MUTP, the Belapur-Seawoods-Uran line received a budgetary provision of ₹153 crore. Phase 1 of the project connecting Belapur and Nerul to Kharkopar was inaugurated last year. The third line between Kalyan and Kasara and the Panvel Coaching Terminus also received budgetary sanctions of ₹160 crore and ₹89 crore respectively. According to Railways officials, for the ongoing projects on the suburban section, the total allocation is ₹744 crore.

“The funds sanctioned for the projects are sufficient for the coming year. We aim to increase the pace of execution of various works under MUTP in the coming year,” R.S. Khurana, chairman and managing director, Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), said.

Officials said they expect the final sanction for MUTP 3A in the coming week, after which they can begin preliminary works on key works under the project such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Panvel elevated fast corridor, a new corridor between Virar and Panvel, and the procurement of 210 air-conditioned rakes.

The Ministry of Railways has allocated ₹244.92 crore for MUTP 2 and ₹283.78 crore for MUTP 3. MUTP 2 has three crucial works pending: the fifth and sixth lines between Thane and Diva, fifth and sixth lines between Kurla and CSMT, and the sixth line between Mumbai Central and Borivali. All three projects have been under construction for nearly a decade. Works under MUTP 3 are in initial stages and are expected to pick up speed in the coming year.

The Hindu