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| World Bank may fund MMRDA's metro rail projects |
| Press Trust of India / Mumbai Jul 20, 2010, 20:53 IST |
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The World Bank, which has partly financed the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is likely to fund the authority’s ambitious metro rail projects too.
World Bank (India) head Roberto Zagha was given a formal presentation about MMRDA’s vision for creating world-class facilities in Mumbai.
The bank had recently approved an $430-million loan (around Rs 2,000 crore) for the MUTP’s 2A project to improve the city’s suburban railway system.
"The projects undertaken by the MMRDA have the potential to transform Mumbai. There is a scope for investment in the city. We would certainly like to explore all possibilities," Zagha told reporters here today.
On MMRDA’s request to the World Bank to fund its metro rail project, Zagha said, "We need to get the request from the Central government in this regard. But, as such, we may fund the project. We would like to provide our financial assistance for development of the transport system in the city. There is a benefit of high rate of return from these projects, apart from providing of essential transportation facilities."
MMRDA is looking out for funds from other international institutions as well. "We are looking at international institutions, including the Japan Bank, for international cooperation to finance our metro projects. We are seeking long-term finance support from these institutions for our public," Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said.
"We held discussions with JBIC officials, who visited Mumbai recently. We are optimistic about getting soft loans from both the agencies, which can be repaid over a period of 30 years," he added.
MMRDA is need of over Rs 20,000 crore to fund Phase II and III of the metro rail project.
While construction of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail corridor is at an advanced stage, soil testing for the second corridor from Charkop to Mankhurd via Bandra has been nearly completed, Gaikwad said.
The authority has also submitted a proposal to the Centre, seeking its in-principle approval to begin tender processing for the third Colaba-Bandra corridor.
Apart from these, MMRDA would also implement two metro projects from Charkop to Dahisar and Ghatkopar to Mulund in the second phase.
Four more projects, including BKC to Kanjurmarg via Airport, Andheri(E) to Dahisar(E), Hutatma Chowk to Ghatkopar and Sewri to Prabhadevi form the third phase of the metro rail project.
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