MMRDA makes plans to change the face of Kalyan

Taking note of the growth in population in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) region, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has drawn up plans to ease growing pressure on the civic infrastructure.

The state agency has drawn up plans for a monorail link between Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan and an expressway linking Virar to Alibag that will pass by Kalyan as well. 

The KDMC which covers an area of 137 sq km, initially in 1961 had a population of just 1.49 lakh. Consider this from 3.29 lakh population in 1981, the population in 2001 jumped to 11.93 lakh.
According to the KDMC’s own estimates by 2010 the population will be about 14.67 lakh. As per the agency’s own study the current working population in KDMC area is about 4.03 lakh.

Already the rising population is putting pressure on the suburban train services of the Central Railway, which has often led to violent clashes. Now the harried commuters from Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Thane will soon enjoy the option of travelling either by a monorail or by an expressway in five years time from now.

To make life easier, for residents of Kalyan, MMRDA has plans for two major skywalks. And to drive away the blues of finding affordable housing for the poor working class, it has unveiled rental housing project near Kalyan. “MMRDA has plans for a monorail project linking Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan. The feasibility survey of the project is underway now. The monorail will cover a distance of 25 km bringing the hitherto remote regions of Bhiwandi and others on to the rail link. A detailed project report (DPR) is expected from the consultants in three months after which tenders for the project will be floated. The project will cost around Rs3,000 crore and will take three years to complete,” added MMRDA joint project director Dilip N Kawathkar.

Besides this the MMRDA has plans for a multi-modal bus rapid transport system (BRTS) and mass rapid transport system (MRTS) which will cover Kalyan as well.

The four-lane expressway will enable people to travel between Virar-Vasai-Diva-Bhiwandi-  Kalyan-Panvel to Alibag in a matter of few hours. The four-lane expressway will have wide footpaths, subways, foot-over bridges and service roads linking the major towns on the route.

Besides this Rs247.25 crore are being spent on development of roads in KDMC area utilising Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds.

The project involves developing outer road to Kalyan, Dombivli and Ambivli. A sum of Rs74.75 crore is being spent on construction of foot-over bridges, railway over-bridge, bridges, under-passes and subways.

Besides this Rs19.55 crore will be spent on developing the Kalyan-Dombivli station areas.

Apart from the monorail, skywalks, expressway projects, the agency has recently unveiled its mega rental housing project at Ambivali near Kalyan. The MMRDA, in a joint venture with Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL), is constructing 35,000 homes having area of 160 sq ft each at Ambivli.

Following the controversy over domicile status to allottees, the MMRDA has clarified that the allottee should be residing in Maharashtra for not less than 15 years and should either be employed or self-employed having a monthly income of Rs5,000.

MMRDA PROJECTS FOR KALYAN
Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Monorail project - 3 year duration - Rs 3,000 crore - plan stage

Virar-Bhiwandi-Kalyan-Alibag four-lane expressway project - 5 year
duration - plan stage

JNNURM projects - Road network - Rs247.25 crore, Rs 74.75 crore on bridges and Rs19.55 crore on station area development

35,000 homes under the rental housing scheme for home seekers at Ambivali near Kalyan