‘State set to get better JNNURM package’

With the Union budget allocating larger funds for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Maharashtra is set to get a major boost for its plans to improve infrastructure across the state.

According to JNNURM data, Maharashtra has as many as 69 projects funded under the mission, which makes it the largest beneficiary. The state is expected to get approximately Rs5,055 crore for these projects till 2012.

Since the mission was launched in 2005, Maharashtra has submitted 153 projects seeking financial assistance. As many as 53 projects are awaiting assistance from the Centre. Cities such as Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Nagpur, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nasik and Nanded have already received financial aid under the scheme. 

According to senior officials of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority, the decision to provide higher funds for the mission is indicative of the fact that the government is concentrating more on development of urban infrastructure. “Since the state has a number of projects already submitted for approval, we can always expect more funds when the actual allocation is done,” said a senior MMRDA official.