Centre Approves Maharashtra's Road Towards Development

Maharashtra Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan in his hour long discussion with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Kamal Nath, got the ‘In-Principle’ approval for State Road Development. But, for this, the Chief Minister through personal intervention should take review of  this and apprise the Minister, said the Union Minister.

The meeting took place on 8th February at Transport Bhawan in which the Four- laning road-link connecting Navi Mumbai the proposed International Airport got the ‘In-Principle’ approval for making it 8 laning. Simultaneously, a ring road of 84 km on Highway No. 6 & 7 connecting Outer Nagpur would be constructed from Central funding.  Though, Kamal Nath sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 1000 cr from Central Road Development Fund to the state, but asked to submit list wise priority chart of proposals for F.Y. 2010-11 to 2011-12 immediately. This would give a boost up in constructing the interstate link roads and bridges. Shri Chavan expressed serious concerns on Border Road Organization withdrawing itself from building up of Roads in State’s districts of Gadchiroli and Gondia already undertaken. He urged Kamal Nath to intervene and help in completion of all the works by the organization.  Realizing the importance of this in the backdrop of naxal affected areas, Kamal Nath assured Chavan that he would take up the matter with the Defence and Home Ministries.

The meeting proved fruitful when the CM was able secure concurrence of Rs. 1500 cr for building up 140 Km long road connecting Virar to Alibaug under the Multi-Modal Corridor Project. The works would also include Highway development vis-à-vis Metro works as well. The CM also sought ‘In- Principle’ approval for building up the Manor-Rewas 233 km outer ringroad through Highway development. This would involve an expenditure of Rs. 1400 cr and the costs would be borne through Central funding. The CM was able to get a positive nod for constructing five Roads connecting Dighi Port and NH-17 through National Highway funding.

A Power Point Presentation of ‘Linking up of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai’ under Trans Harbour Link Scheme was presented to the Union Minister. Remarking on the presentation, the Minister suggested to encompass not only Roads and Bridges, but should also include Roads and Railways connectivity as well. He also suggested incorporating this scheme along International Standards thereby making it a Flagship Project. If this Project is jointly worked out by Centre and State, it would be easier to secure assistance from World Bank, said the Union Minister. In this context, Road Transport Secretary Brahmdatt would shortly visit Mumbai.

This hour length concrete meeting was attended by State Chief Secretary J.P. Dange, Principal Secretary and Investment & Protocol Commissioner Dr. Amitabh Rajan, Principal Secretary to CM, A.K. Jain, Resident Commissioner Shamlal Goyal, State Road Works Secretary D.V. Dhavad and Road Development Corporation’s M.D. Sonia Sethi.