According to NITI Aayog documents, the MUTP III appraisal note (serial number 6938) was put up for approval on August 22 and was approved on August 26, one of the quickest so far.
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has given its approval for the Rs10,947 crore third phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). Railway ministry's chief spokesperson Anil Saxena confirmed the development.
According to NITI Aayog documents, the MUTP III appraisal note (serial number 6938) was put up for approval on August 22 and was approved on August 26, one of the quickest so far.
The MUTP is a joint venture of the railway ministry and the state government and comprises a bouquet of railway projects to be completed over a period to three to five years; it aims at improving the suburban network on a macro scale. One of the prime finance components of MUTP is World Bank loans, which have to be repaid equally by the railways and the state.
The MUTP phase III has the Rs2,618-crore Panvel-Karjat new suburban line, Rs3,555 crore Virar-Dahanu quadrupling (addition of two lines), the procurement of trains at Rs2,899 crore and Rs428 crore for the elevated connector between Airoli and Kalwa.
As per the procedure, the NITI Aayog appraisal note (official term for the approval) means the third phase will not be discussed by an expanded Railway Board, which comprises, apart from members of the Railway Board, top officials of the Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog itself.
"After this round, a Cabinet note is prepared, which is then forwarded to the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA). Approval from the CCEA means the project is finally off the ground, loans can be procured and work can be started," explained an official.
The process is expected to take another three months and actual work on the ground is expected to start by early 2017-18, said officials.
The MUTP saga so far
MUTP phase I; Rs4,452 crore
It has been completed. Highlights included buying 909 Siemens coaches and adding two new lines between Virar and Borivli.
MUTP phase 2A; Rs4,713 crore
It is expected to be completed by March 2017. It included buying 72 Bombardier rakes and converting CR's traction from Direct Current to Alternating Current.
MUTP phase 2B; Rs3,374 crore
It has projects expected to be completed in phases between 2019 and 2021. This includes the sixth line between Mumbai Central and Borivli, and extension of CST-Andheri Harbour line till Goregaon.
MUTP phase 2C; Rs714.1 crore
It comprises mostly Harbour line projects, including running 12-coach trains on the line, and is expected to be completed by March 2017.
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