Center Steps in for MM1
June 10, 2008
Bhargav Sura
In a recent update from the Mumbai Metro One (MM1), the Mumbai Metro has heaved a sigh of relief. The Central government has stepped in to fund for all the nine corridors of the Mumbai Metro. In other words, the Center will provide Rs 2,500 crore in vialibility gap funds for all nine corridors of the Metro project.
The total cost of the nine corridors is Rs 21,936 crore - one of the biggest ever in the infrastructure history of India. The construction of the first corridor from Versova to Anderi to Ghatkopar is underway. The first corridor will cost Rs 2,356 crore, out of which Rs 650 crore will be provided by the Center as vialibility gap funding. The first corridor will be built on a public-private-partnership model (PPP) which is being constructed by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani's Reliance Energy Ltd. group and Connex of France.
The second line will be built from Charkop to Mankhurd and the third from Colaba to Bandra. However, the MMRDA doesn't want the third line to be built on PPP model. The reason it says is that the vialibility gap funding for this line is very high.
Mr. Shreedharan, the man behind the success of the Delhi Metro, says that the MMRDA should consider the construction of the second and the third corridor together. But the MMRDA is not even sure of getting the third corridor constructed. If the government goes ahead with the plans of construction an elevated rail track from Churchgate to Virar, then it would not be feasible to construct a metro rail from Colaba to Bandra.
The first corridor is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2010, "only if all things go smoothly".
Other Information |
Construction: Mumbai Metro One. City: Mumbai Videos: Please click here. Images: Please click here. Status: On-site |