Mumbai residents to experience hassle-free travel soon

MMRDA plans to order projects worth Rs 36,300 crore in 2014

Mumbai residents’ wait for the commissioning of a slew of infrastructure upgrade projects to the tune of Rs 66,000 crore seems to be over. A mono rail will be the first among the much-delayed projects to start service between Chembur and Wadala covering 8.8 kms in the first week of February.

The second in the pecking order will be the swanky peacock Terminal 2. Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has indicated international operations will begin at the terminal from February 12, while domestic operations will be integrated next year. Already, Sahar Elevated Road connecting the Western Express Highway to the T2 has been completed and it will be opened after MIAL starts international operations at T2.

In March, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) expects the commissioning of the 12-km Mumbai Metro phase-I Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor. Thereafter, the 6.54-km SantaCruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) project, which has already missed 11 deadlines since its inception in 2003, will be opened for vehicular traffic. SCLR’s cost rose to Rs 428 crore from Rs 114.8 crore. The project includes a double-decker flyover with the top deck catering to traffic between Eastern Express Highway and Western Express Highway.

Besides, Axis Capital in its report said projects worth Rs 36,300 crore are expected to be ordered in the next 9-12 months. Ground work for the 34-km Mumbai Metro phase-III (Rs 23,100 crore), design finalisation, right of way for land, and funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency are in place and MMRDA has already initiated tendering process. The project is likely to be completed in six to seven years. MMRDA prefers engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model and not build operate transfer (BOT) after learnings from past experiences.

Furthermore, contract for the 5.5-km Worli Sewri elevated road will be awarded in the next two months. The project, which will be funded by MMRDA, will be complete in three to four years. This apart, the Cabinet sub-committee chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on January 16 cleared the 9.9-km Bandra-Versova sea link project, which envisages a total investment of Rs 4,045 crore. The proposed sea link will be built 900 metres into the sea.

The MMRDA, a town planning body, got the crucial safety clearance certificate for the Chembur-Wadala mono rail corridor on January 21. MMRDA official told Business Standard that it now awaits the state government’s go ahead.

The journey for Chembur-Wadala, which is the first phase of the 20-km mono rail route, will be completed in 19 minutes but the section will initially operate between 7 am and 3 pm a day with a nine-minute frequency. Fares will be from Rs 5 to Rs 19 and there will be an automated fare collection system at all stations.

The Wadala-Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk will be completed by the end of 2014-15. The T2, which features a highly compact design by SOM, a New York-based architectural and engineering firm, will have the capacity to handle over 40 million passengers annually. The terminal, which spans 439,203 square metres, has 208 check-in counters as well as 23 domestic and 30 international security pedestals.

There are 60 emigration counters on departure and 72 for arrival. The terminal also features 52 boarding bridges, and has a seating capacity of 10,900 along with a retail footprint of 200,000 sq ft. It also features a 200,000-sq ft landscape garden.

As far as Mumbai metro phase-I is concerned, the MMRDA will approach the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety in February for safety certifications. The project cost has increased to Rs 4,291 crore from Rs 2,356 crore, largely due to economic factors and also delays in obtaining right of way and various approvals from the Indian Railways.

The Mumbai Metro One Private Limited, the consortium for the corridor led by Reliance Infrastructure, has pressed for Rs 28-30 fare for travelling eight kms and beyond against Rs 6 for less than 3 km, Rs 8 for three-to-eight kms and Rs 10 for travelling beyond eight kms.