The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority launched three new city projects at the start of 2008, but almost all are at a standstill.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) launched three new city projects at the beginning of 2008. But as the year draws to an end, almost all of them seem to have missed the bus, and the reasons for the delay in all the projects continue to be old hat.
Former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh performed the bhoomi pujan of the three projects on January10, 2008. The projects include the Eastern Freeway (a 22-km partly elevated, signal-free corridor, from Museum to Anik Panjrapol Link Road), Sahar Elevated Road (a 2-km elevated corridor from Andheri to Sahar junction, connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport) and an 800-m long road over-bridge (RoB) over Milan subway.
MMRDA officials say the Sahar Elevated Road is the only project moving faster than scheduled, while it has taken almost a year for the Milan RoB to clear impediments. Worst off is the Eastern Freeway, which faces many hurdles, especially along the elevated 9-km corridor.
Eastern Freeway (Project cost: Rs531 crore)
Out of 22 km, a 9-km stretch, between Sewri railway station and Orange gate near Museum, is going to be an elevated road. MMRDA chief engineer, SR Nandargikar, says there are tremendous problems in shifting its underground utilities.
“There are complex utility cables underground, petroleum lines running under the road, and high-tension power cables, which need to be shifted. The maps provided by the municipal corporation are not up to the mark,” he complained.
“Construction has to be done only during when traffic load is low, further delaying the project,” Nandargikar said.
Who bears the cost?
The government of India, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM), will fund 35% of the total project cost; the state government and the MMRDA will bear 15% and 50% respectively.
Sahar Elevated Road (project cost: Rs287.37 crore)
This 1.8-km long stretch will reduce the congestion going from the Western Express Highway (WEH) to the international airport. MMRDA officials say it is being implemented faster than expected.
“Some portion of the P&T Colony was needed for the project. After discussions with local residents, we have managed to address the issue,” Nandargikar said.
However, Bamanwada (next to P&T Colony) has many hutments which need to be shifted from a 300-m stretch. “About 500 to 600 slums have to be shifted out of this area by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL),” Nandargikar said.
Who bears the cost?
This project too has been approved under JNNURM for Rs15.13 crore. The state government, the Centre and MMRDA will pitch in 15%, 35% and 50% respectively. Any cost over and above Rs.155.13 crore will be borne by MIAL.
Milan RoB (project cost: Rs41.5 crore)
An 800-m flyover starting opposite Santacruz bus depot on SV Road and ending near the WEH service road is small in terms of distance, but the density and narrowness of the area is making the task difficult for the MMRDA.
It has taken a year to rehabilitate slum-dwellers and shopkeepers from the area. “We got good support for the project from the BMC and the railways. The BMC made the land available, while the railways agreed to keep the height of the RoB up to 6.25 m,” Nandargikar said.
To the east of the track, the MMRDA is finding it difficult connecting the flyover to the WEH. The airport flyover is to be completed by January 2009, and work on the WEH stretch can begin only after that.
Who bears the cost?
The cost of this project will be borne by the MMRDA.
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