Mumbai: The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday approved Rs 16,909.10 crore budget of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for 2019-20 but there was no new announcement. This budget funds have been allocated for the ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects.
Surprisingly, the hybrid bus service, which the MMRDA started in a joint venture with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply Transport (BEST), mainly for the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) commuters has been allotted no funds. In fact, as the hybrid buses are fetching no profits, the authority plans not to purchase any additional buses this year. As compared to the previous budget of Rs 12,157 crore, there is only an increase by Rs 4,752 crore in this year’s budget.
According to MMRDA, this is a fine balance of allocation of funds for major infrastructure projects and the two memorials — Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and late Bal Thackeray memorials. “The budget is not city-centric, but it offers an overall region including Khopoli, Vasai, Virar and Panvel. All major projects have bene given adequate funds,” said RA Rajeev, Metropolitan Commissioner.
Meanwhile, the authority has allocated Rs 5,0250 crore for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor. Since these are considered to be the two big ticket infra projects of MMRDA, a big chunk of funds have been allocated for them.
The monorail phase-2 (Wadala-Jacob Circle) has been allocated Rs 150 crore, is slated to begin from first the week of March. Meanwhile, an outlay of Rs 704.20 crore has been proposed for the Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme, which is to provide water to the 20 lakh residents of Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar municipal corporations.
The extended Mumbai urban infrastructure project has been allotted funds of Rs 800 crore. Similarly the Mumbai urban transport project has been given Rs 500.10 crore and Rs.143 crore has been proposed for the development of road network outside the metropolitan region.
Rs 100 crore has been allotted for the extension of Santacruz-Chembur Link Road up to Vakola and construction of elevated road from BKC to Western Express Highway and Rs 75 crore for the elevated road at Chheda Nagar, Ghatkopar and outlay of Rs 54 crore has been made for the infrastructure development inside Kalina University Campus.
