State okays MMRDA's ₹6,976-cr budget.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), in the coming financial year, will spend ₹6,976.5 crore on various infrastructure projects to improve the living condition in the metropolis and adjoining areas.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the chairman of the MMRDA, approved the budget for 2017-18 recently.

The MMRDA has allocated a total of ₹3,273 crore for various metro rail projects. It has earmarked ₹1,200 crore for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which has been in cold storage over a decade.

The budget highlights the intent of the State government to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the city. Funds have also been allocated for the Monorail Phase-II, construction of flyovers and creek bridges, and the road network. Besides, emphasis has been given for development of water resources, and improvement of connectivity and infrastructure at the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

The Dahisar to D.N. Nagar Metro-2A corridor and the Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East) Metro-7 corridor have been allocated ₹1,000 crore each while the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor has received ₹800 crore.

The Metro-2B and Metro-4 corridors have received ₹200 crore each., while the recently approved Metro-5 and Metro-6 corridors have been given a token grant of ₹5 crore each.

The MMRDA has also approved the new 13-km Dahisar (East) to Mira-Bhayandar Metro line-9. This route will have 10 metro stations, and the total cost of this project is ₹6,518 crore, including the land acquisition cost.

The second phase of the Monorail corridor running from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk has received ₹208 crore, while ₹700 crore has been allocated for the development of Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the road network.

Chief Minister Mr. Fadnavis said his objective was to ensure that anyone would be able to reach anywhere in the city in an hour and the commute would be easy, comfortable and congestion-free.

“The Metro corridors are the future of this city. Mumbaikars should feel proud to use public transport rather than private vehicles. Use of public transport saves time, fuel and also improves environment,” he said.

MMRDA has made provision of ₹75-crore for the improvement of Bandra-Kurla Complex. Besides infrastructure, the funds will also be used to procure electric/hybrid buses for a smoother commute for office-goers. The objective is to transform BKC into a smart city.

The MMRDA has allocated ₹300 crore for the development of water resources. It has undertaken the 403 MLD Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme for Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporations, and the Rental Housing Scheme and villages in the western sub-region of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

THE HINDU