Mumbai promised the moon... but when will it see the light of day?

Wednesday saw World Bank approving a $430 million loan to get MUTP-II, the suburban railway infrastructure improvement project, going. The state government decided to create a Mumbai Development Fund to finance big-ticket projects in the city. DNA received varied reactions

Expert view

If only funds alone could improve amenities
The important thing which is required for the development and improvement of the city is will and commitment. Funds alone will not do. 

Holistic development: The city doesn’t have a master plan in which integration of transportation, housing, hospitals, public spaces, environmental conservation plan is addressed. Presently and also in the past in the city there has been an anarchy of development. All the authorities whether it be BEST or MMRDA or BMC, they all work in their own way and without understanding the need for holistic development and improvement of the city.

Affordability: Another important thing is that affordability must be considered in the plan and in any development. Today we have mega hospitals in the city but how many people can afford these facilities? There are big schools but how many poor children can get admission to the schools? There is need to have an affordability study before constructing anything in the city. We need a practical approach which would benefit a large number of people.  
—PK Das, architect & activist

Make the contractors and officials accountable
Current projects: Most of these major infrastructure projects are in the pipeline and they have already taken loan from the World Bank for the same. It’s surprising to see how these projects keep getting delayed, and the cost of the projects increasing three or four times.
Time-bound: It’s important that all these infrastructure projects are time bound. Whatever is proposed today needs a final date of completion. The officers in-charge giving the commitment should be held accountable and responsible for any delay in the project. If they aren’t able to meet the deadlines, the  contractor should be blacklisted.

Pending projects: Also increasing the FSI is not a solution as it is not going to help the public. The common man will only suffer more. Some projects on the central and western lines of the suburban network are pending since long, and the due date is over long back. If we have the funds coming in, infrastructure projects being undertaken but without time bound implementation, this doesn’t make sense.  
—Jitendra Gupta, activist & lawyer



Pay heed to civic amenities
The state government has embarked on an ambitious plan of creating a fund for all infrastructure projects in Mumbai. The only hitch is that a premium is sought to be charged on extra FSI grants and TDRs besides imposing a development surcharge on construction projects. This is going to add to public woes as the property prices will escalate more making housing unaffordable. The World Bank loan to improve suburban train travel looks good but it’s important to improve civic amenities too. The city’s drainage system and sanitation is in a total state of disrepair. These projects will benefit but makes the city more attractive for influx from other states when we are already reeling under its ill-effects.
—Deepak Agharkar, finance director

Willing to pay extra amount
The projects seem beneficial for the city if the funds are used transp-arently and if the common man benefits from them. It’s a fact that train commuters in Mumbai are subjected to one of the most severe overcrowding conditions in the world with about 4,500 passengers travelling in a nine-coach train as against a rated carrying capacity of 1,700. So with the funds from the World Bank hopefully this will change and train commuting will be a better experience, especially if more trains and metros lines are introduced during peak hours. If these projects make a difference to our lives, improve the quality of life then I’m willing to pay for it.
—Sai Vaidya, media specialist

I don’t trust the politicians
The city might be the industrial and financial hub of the country but infras-tructure planning is very poor. The new upcoming projects are a necessity and will be a boon for a city. The only way the government can collect money for funds for infrastructure projects is through new levies and taxes, so I think it’s fair. I wouldn’t mind paying extra as long as that money is used for the right purpose. But knowing our politicians I am sceptical as I don’t know how much of it will go into their pockets. I hope that the projects are implemented soon. The plans for the railways look pretty impressive. They will make commuting easier for the working class.
—Gokul Prabhu, legal consultant

Work remains pending
I hope that the MRVC uses the funds allotted by the World Bank to increase the number of 12-coach trains, because with number of commuters increasing, the trains too need to be increased. And they should also increase the frequency of Virar-bound trains. Possibility of MMRDA using these funds for development of roads is practically zilch because of space crunch in the city. Where is the space for new flyovers or highways? Also, if they cannot sustain the existing roads how do they plan to maintain the new ones? It’s not fair if the government charges extra on the new construction schemes. In this scenario one will not pay extra, no matter if you get better infrastructure. Although, charging big construction schemes does make sense.
—Jimit Shah, social media strategist

Projects will be timely now
Big infrastr ucture projects, if executed well, could benefit the city. However, not all projects that are being implemented are practical. I believe it is fine to impose new charges on construction schemes. If it is for public use, and if the project is really beneficial, then it is needed. I would mind paying for projects undertaken just for improving aesthetics of a location and which don’t have any real use. Good infrastructure ensures a upgradation in lifestyle, so I am willing to pay for something that will benefit the community at large. With the World Bank in the scene and a desperate need to improve the railway system in the city, things could change for the better.
—Prasanna Ratanjankar, TV producer

Will take city to new heights
These projects will help the city and people to grow to another level. It will also increase the living standards of the people. Imposing new levies and charges on big construction schemes is purely a technical call which should be taken by the government and the respective authorities for the betterment of common man. Till the time it’s not adversely affecting the common man this proposal is welcome. If I can afford it and want the luxury of travelling comfortably then I won’t mind paying extra money. I think if people have money; no one will say no to it. Implementation of such projects is uncertain and we aren’t aware about the actual stipulated date of completion.
—Mayank Sen, corporate advisor