MMRDA allocates ₹2,111 crore for transport and infrastructure projects

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in its 152nd authority meeting chaired by Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde has approved Rs 18,404 crore Budget for financial year 2022-23 on February 28, 2022. “We have presented budget with a deficit of Rs 7,680 crore. The expenditure proposed is Rs 18,404 crore as against the revenue estimated at Rs 10,724 crore,” said SVR Srinivas, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.

MMRDA has sanctioned a substantial amount for these projects in Rs 18,404 crore budget for the financial year 2022-23. The authority undertakes works on Metro corridors and road expansion projects, besides developing crucial infrastructure in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) that includes districts of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad.

The major transport infrastructure works, including underground Metro corridor between Wadala-CSMT, an extension of Eastern Freeway till Thane, construction of coastal link road between Nariman Point-Cuffe Parade are likely to begin this year. 

"This budget mainly emphasized on implementation of public transport and vital infrastructural Projects for which Rs 2,111.30 crores have been earmarked,” said Metropolitan Commissioner.

Amongst projects which will see work begin are the construction of a bridge from Nariman Point to Colaba/ Cuffe Parade, Metro Line 10 (Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk), Metro Line 11 (Wadala-Thane), Metro Line 12 (Kalyan-Taloja), Extension of Eastern Free Way to Thane, Thane Coastal Road, Elevated Road from Anand Nagar to Kharegaon in Thane City, Kalyan Ring Road, Kopri-Patni Road, bride on Gorai Creek, Thane- Borivali Tunnel Link Road etc.

“We hope to complete the tender process for these Metro corridors in six months. Metro 11 will have integration with Metro 4 (Thane-Ghatkopar-Wadala),” he added.

It has been saif that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for extension of Eastern Freeway till Thane is being prepared and the authority estimates that it will be able to finalise the DPRs and bids by August 2022. The DPR for the construction of sea-bridge between Cuffe Parade and Nariman Point has been prepared and soon MMRDA will float tenders for which Rs 260 crore has been sanctioned in this budget.

The auhority has also decided to spend Rs 210 crore this year on the 6 km long road project that will link Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Road to Mumbai-Pune Expressway from Chirle.

“Allocations have also been made for concretisation of the Eastern Express Highway and Western Express Highway. We expect the work to begin by May 2022,” said Metropolitan Commissioner.