As per latest reports, the first phase of the proposed water transport project along the Vasai-Thane-Kalyan route is likely to begin in the next three months.
According to Hindustan Times, on Wednesday, Union minister of state for shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya, assured to clear the budget for pre-investment activity in a meeting with Thane municipal corporation (TMC) chief Sanjeev Jaiswal, Thane MP Rajan Vichare and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde. TMC chief Sanjeev Jaiswal told the leading daily, “The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) was to implement the pre-investment activities which will cost Rs 128.89 crore. The ministry has assured to clear the budget so work can begin soon. We showed a willingness to take up implementation of activities and the minister asked us to start work on the first phase in the next three months.”
The ministry had earlier appointed JNPT as the executive body for the first phase, but the TNC chief has said that it will be handed over to TMC. The TMC has proposed the water transport project in two phases, the first phase will connect Vasai-Thane-Kalyan, while the second phase will connect Thane to Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the first phase was approved last year.
