The 12.5-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project has a 30-acre hurdle to cross. Negotiations are on to end the stale mate.
Negotiations are on to end the stalemate over acquisition of plot for setting up a rail-car depot
MUMBAI: The 12.5-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project has a 30-acre hurdle to cross.
Desperate negotiations are on to end the stalemate over the acquisition of a 30-acre plot in Versova for setting up a rail-car depot for the first phase of the project, worth Rs 2,356 crore.
The piece of land is embroiled in a Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) case between the state and the owner.
Highly-placed sources in the state nodal agency, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), said they were attempting an out-of-court settlement with the land owner in order to expedite the project.
A MMRDA interlocutor has already held discussions with the owner.
Experts said that though the ULCA could be abolished in the state legislature winter session in Nagpur, the change would not dismiss ULCA cases already filed.
The government has therefore been trying to acquire this surplus vacant land by issuing transferable development rights (TDR) for the acquired portion of land.
“Instead of taking the long course of litigation, the settlement will pave way for the much needed transport project,” said a high-ranking MMRDA officer.
Policy decision on ULCA has gained importance in the wake of its proposed abolishment. Experts cited past cases, in which owners of ULC land were given full FSI and part of the space for commercial purpose, while the remaining land was used for project.
MMRDA has pegged January 2008 as the date for starting construction work. The Reliance Energy-led equity firm entrusted with the job - Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) - is geared up to start work for the first phase, and is in the process of ordering rolling stock.
Six leading multinationals in rail transportation - Siemens (Germany), Bombardier (Canada), Alstom (France), Rotem-Hyundai (South Korea), Chunyun (China) and Nippon Sharyo (Japan) have already queued up to extend rolling stock (shuttles and other rail equipment). One of them would soon be finalised for the project.
MMRDA officials are determined to start physical work by the scheduled date. MMOPL will begin work on other sections of the first phase even if the Versova land is not available by that date.
State and central governments will be giving Rs 650 crore for the project by MMOPL on a 50-50 sharing basis. While REL owns 74 per cent equity in this project, the government share stands at 26 per cent.
The project is being developed on BOOT basis (build, operate, own and transfer).
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