Maharashtra seeks Centre's support for infra projects

Seeks launch of new concept of national projects.

Maharashtra government on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Centre's assistance and special dispensation to implement various infrastructure projects of over Rs 50,000 crore in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). A delegation led by the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan emphasised a need for special attention to public transport, housing and water supply in the MMR. The CM urged the Prime Minister to consider introduction of the concept of national projects, so that projects which are beyond the capability of the state governments can be carried out with the help of central aid.

Chavan cited the example of the Ghosikhurd irrigation project, which, on being declared a national project, is entitled to receive 90 per cent funding from the Centre. He requested the PM to consider the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Virar-Alibaug Multi-modal corridor, Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Pinjal- Damanganga river linking (to augment drinking water supply to Mumbai) as national projects. He also emphasised the need for special environmental regulation for the coastal freeway.

Underscoring the importance of urban infrastructure in mega cities with population of over 10 million, the CM requested the Centre to consider having a separate allocation for mega cities under the next version of JNNURM. The CM urged the Centre to announce a major national program for slum-free cities.

Chavan also raised the issue of master planning of the Mumbai Port Trust lands, which would mutually benefit the port and the city of Mumbai. He requested to scale up the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) to ensure slum-free cities in the next five years. He pleaded for making available the Government of India lands for implementation of RAY as well as infrastructure projects.

State minister for textile, Naseem Khan, and the state Health Minister Suresh Shetty, who were part of the CM-led delegation, told Business Standard that the prime minister had acknowledged the special needs of MMR, as also the concerns of development in Maharashtra, and gave personal assurance to provide the Centre's assistance.