London keen to fund Mumbai's infrastructure projects: Mayor

The visiting London Mayor Boris Johnson today said his administration is keen on financing some of the infrastructure projects in the city.

"Financing projects that will boost Mumbai's infrastructure and economy would be our focus," he said.

Johnson is in town on a two-day visit as part of his India tour.

Today he met some senior state officials and reiterated London's interest in India. These efforts are part of the world's financial centre's attempt to double bilateral trade (to £24 billion by 2015) - a target announced by the prime ,inisters of both the countries during British premier David Cameron's July 2010 visit to India.

"The mayor did indicate financing a few projects that will take Mumbai's communication with rest of the country and the world to the next level. Finances will be crucial. However, we would like to examine such proposals before any decision is arrived at," MMRDA Commissioner Rahul Asthana said in a statement issued here.

"The Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, the seven proposed metro lines and the multi-modal corridor are the three projects that attracted the Mayor," he added.

The seven proposed metro corridors are - Colaba-BKC, Charkop-Dahisar, Ghatkopar-Mulund, BKC-Kanjur Marg via Airport, Andheri-E-Dahisar-E, Hutatma Chowk-Ghatkopar and Sewri-Prabhadevi. The 126-km multi-modal corridor will run from Virar to Alibaug.