Rs300-crore boost for Brimstowad project

To expedite projects that could curb flooding in Mumbai, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee increased the allocation for the Brihanmumbai storm water drain (Brimstowad) project in the current fiscal year from Rs200 crore, earmarked during the interim budget, to Rs500 crore.

The project will help the BMC increase the water retention capacity of existing storm water drains. A fact-finding committee appointed to look into reasons for the July 26, 2005, deluge had suggested this as an immediate measure. The Manmohan Singh government, which was at the helm even then, had then agreed to completely fund the Rs1,200-crore project.

Work on the project began in 2007; the Centre has so far released Rs500 crore for it. The increase in outlay will mean another Rs500 crore would be released for the project this year. A senior civic official said that this will help BMC expedite the project. Mukherjee announced an 87% increase in outlay for infrastructure projects under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), but Mumbai and other parts of the state will have to wait for a revision in the original allocation of funds.

The state has 77 projects, the maximum in the country, approved under JNNURM in the last four years. These projects cost Rs4,912.08 crore; the Centre had initially allocated Rs5,055.55 crore for seven years, beginning 2005.
Mumbai has six projects under JNNURM.