High-speed trains are the need of the hour: Jayant Patil

As Maharashtra finance minister, Jayant Patil had mooted the MagLev train for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and a high-speed train between Mumbai and Nagpur. More than three years on, the proposal is still pending with the planning department. Patil, who felt that high-speed trains are a must for the state's development of the state, spoke to DNA.

What has been the authorities’ response after you took top BMC officials on a bumpy ride of the city's potholed roads?
They realised the problem's severity and started work immediately after the visit. I was told that they were following directions and filling potholes in the stipulated time.

I have been getting many calls and SMSes from other parts of the city on the poor condition of roads. My emphasis is on a system that can offer us a permanent solution.

Why can't we have roads of international standard? I was in Singapore recently, and even though it rains throughout the year there, you won't find a single pothole. Even our concretised roads are not spared from damage. The BMC should take stern action against contractors responsible for this.

As guardian minister, you keep visiting slums in the city. Slum-dwellers live in pathetic conditions...
Yes, but slum redevelopment schemes offer them good living conditions. Most slums in the city are under the redevelopment schemes.

But the common man and original tenants are being thrown out the city in the wake of development.
Not all original tenants or those staying in chawls are being thrown out. Only 10 to 20 percent of them sell their tenements after redevelopment and move to the suburbs.

It is bound to happen.  The most important thing in the wake of development projects is the availability of infrastructure.
Every nook and corner is undergoing redevelopment, but have we thought if there are sufficient roads and water available for the people who will come in?

Have we ever thought about the pollution of sea water due to the discharge of sewage?

As finance minister, you had proposed MagLev trains for MMR and high-speed trains connecting Mumbai and Nagpur in three hours?
Yes, but nothing happened on those fronts. The consultant appointed to study the feasibility of the high-speed train between Mumbai and Nagpur submitted his report to the planning department long back.I don't know the project's status. But the high-speed train is the need of the hour.

The distance of 900km between Mumbai and Nagpur can be travelled in three hours as the trains run at a speed of 300kmph. If it happens, development in backward areas in Marathwada and Vidarbha will gain pace.

But won’t cost be a major hurdle?
Yes, the trains are expensive, but how does it affect the state coffers when the projects are through public-private participation? One should think about the long-term benefits from such projects. The trains, in other parts of the world, have led to the development of areas they run through. If we have to take development to eastern parts of the state, we first should reduce the commuting distance from Mumbai, the country's commercial hub.

Connectivity within MMR is also a major problem...
Panvel, Kalyan, Vasai and Virar should be connected with faster modes of transport. The MagLev could be a good and speedy option.