Says no clearance to MSRDC projects without proper financial model
Mumbai : Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Friday said that the projects proposed by MSRDC are ill-conceived and could not be cleared until a proper financial model has been thought of. While other projects including the augmentation of Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Nagpur-Aurangabad-Sinnar-Ghoti-Mumbai road will not be possible as the state is yet to take a call on the toll policy.
On Independence Day, a trip was organised to highlight the transportation projects completed during the past years. The CM said, “The people are been agitated with the toll prices be it Pune or Kolhapur and several agitations are being held. All these projects are based on toll models and need to be looked into.”
The revenue for these projects will be recovered from the toll levied on the motorist on which there is still no clarity on the toll rates and the duration for which it needs to be implemented. The CM spoke for devising a mechanism for the calculation of the vehicles passing over a bridge before getting in to contracting which will bring about a transparency in determining the revenue generated from the tolls. The projects on which decision is long pending are scrapping contracts with Reliance Infrastructure-Hyundai worth 4,550 cr, Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link. Also, before the model code of conduct makes into force it is likely that a decision may be recommended by the Chief Secretary about buying back Kamothe toll plaza.
The CM also shot back to the demands made by the Shiv Sena- BJP controlled BMC on handing over the roads to the civic body for better maintenance. There are several agencies including the Mumbai Metro Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai State Road Development Corporation (MSRTC), Public Works Department (PWD) which maintenance different section of roads in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The BMC demanded for handing over the roads under MMRDA to the civic body for better maintenance.
The CM said, “The people at large do not know which road is under which agency but we know which roads are with the BMC and the condition of these roads. The BMC should work on improve their condition instead.”
