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DNA Micro Edit: Securing vital infra projects still at planning stage

With ambitious infrastructure projects being developed in Mumbai over the next decade, there is a need for serious thought on securing vital infrastructure projects right at the planning stage.

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After securing the environment ministry's final approval for the coastal road project, the state government is planning to issue request for proposal (RFP) in June so that actual construction on the project can begin by November.

With ambitious infrastructure projects being developed in Mumbai over the next decade, there is a need for serious thought on securing vital infrastructure projects right at the planning stage.

Recently, the Ministry of Enviroment asked the BMC to set aside 2 per cent of the total project cost for the Mumbai Coastal Road project for conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity before proceeding with work.

Along with the need to carefully weigh the impact any infrastructure project will have on the environment, planning agencies should also mandatorily factor in the cost of securing such big-ticket projects from terror threats.

This is not a new suggestion. In 2010, none other than the Mumbai Police Chief had written to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation warning that the Bandra Worli Sea Link was a potential terror target, and sought funds for mobile, gantry-based explosive scanners to be installed at the sea link. He also recommended that at least 2 per cent of outlay for infrastructure projects be used on security. However, the recommendation was largely ignored.

The push from the state government for vital infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Road, Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), Navi Mumbai International Airport and new Metro Lines for the city, as well as the proposed mid-sea Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial, should be in tow with meticulous plans right at the outset to secure such projects from terror threats.

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