Letters: Previous plans

This refers to the report "Maharashtra plans another city 50 kms off Mumbai" (October 4). This is an appropriate occasion to recall the projects announced in the past. Two days back the railways announced the tendering for a project to link Airoli to Kalwa. Two years back the state had announced plans to build habitations in various locations in the mainland up to Pen. The existing slender rail service between Vasai and Panvel needs upgradation. Further, there are other older projects such as the Mumbai Vision - a consultancy report on behalf of a business chamber that envisaged block-by block redevelopment of the city, adding several transport links between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, one of which was a road cum rail bridge between Nava Sheva and Sewree.

The road portion has met with several hassles and the rail portion has been unceremoniously dropped. The widely-commented Dharavi redevelopment plan continues to be in limbo. A year back when the state government arranged a meeting with the rail ministry, the participation of the local MPs was not adequate. Further, there are plans for the bifurcation of Thane district with a view to develop its urban and rural portions.

It will be beneficial to the state and the people if there is coordinated management in all of these approved projects.

S Subramanyan Navi Mumbai

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