Singh vows to take ‘personal interest’

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday promised Mumbai that he would take “personal interest” in setting up a task force for integrated development of approximately 1600 acres of port land and the eastern water front, and also in forming an empowered committee to monitor the various needs of the city for quick implementation of several infrastructure projects.

A delegation of Citizens’ Action Group (CAG), of which Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is chairman and Narinder Nayar vice-chairman, called on the PM and requested him to act at the earliest, so that the overall development of the city could be expedited.

According to the CAG members, the transfer of salt pan land to the state government and rationalisation of environmental clearances should be top priority. Several industrialists, like Anand Mahindra, Anil Ambani and J Godrej, were present during the presentation to the PM. Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra, told the PM that the policy of asking for environmental clearance from the concerned ministry for all kinds of projects was a bad precedence. “This system has all the evils associated with the earlier Licence Raj and should be done away,” he said. Singh promised to look into the issue.

Mahindra, who is also a CAG member told Singh that the vast land held by the Mumbai Port Trust should be used for the city. “The state government must play an active role in the redevelopment of port  land. Planned development of this land is crucial to city’s future,” he said.

The delegation reminded the PM of their memorandum submitted to him on October 6, 2004, and pointed out that Centre’s help was vital for the overall development and implementation of infrastructure projects in the city. Viability gap funding and direct financial assistance under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) can ensure fast completion of several infrastructure projects, the members said.

The setting up of an empowered committee of representatives from various ministries was vital, according to the delegation. “This alone can make Mumbai a Regional International Financial Centre and also force people at large to forget Shanghai.” The PM said, “I will personally look into the matter and talk with the finance secretary.”

Coming next: Colaba to Charkop 

DNA Correspondent

The first metro corridor from Versova to Ghatkopar is soon to be a reality, inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday. The state government can now turn its attention to other corridors.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Wednesday announced that the state will call for tenders for the second metro corridor between Colaba to Charkop.

The announcement was made at the function where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the first Rs 2,356 crore metro corridor and in principle promised to provide Rs 650 crore viability gap funding.

The Colaba Charkop corridor covers 38 km and will be elevated from Colaba to Mahim. It becomes underground thereafter.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has identified an 8 km stretch from Charkop to D N Nagar at Andheri west, from where it proposes to begin construction for this corridor.

“This 8 km stretch will cost roughly Rs1,200 crore’’ said a senior MMRDA official. 

A draft bill to set up Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), on lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, is being prepared.

Project details

Of the 146 km metro plan prepared by DMRC, consultants for Mumbai metro, the state has decided to implement the Rs 20,000 crore plus project in phases. The first phase of 60 km is divided into three corridors. The first corridor is the 11 km stretch from Versova to Ghatkopar. The other two corridors are; 38 km Colaba to Charkop and 13.4 km Bandra-Mahim to Kurla to Mankhurd.