Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday cleared big-ticket projects for the financial capital, including an integrated multimodal system to connect the proposed Metro stations.
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The 148th meeting of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) board also cleared the appointment of the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd to prepare a detailed report for the ropeway projects between Malad and Marve and from Gorai to Borivali, each 4.5 km long.
The ropeway is vital to establish the East-West connectivity for the Metro and jetty works along the coast. This can also establish connectivity to Malad Metro station on Metro-2A corridor, Borivali station on the Western Railway, Metro-2A, and Gorai jetty.
“The ropeway is successful in New York, Colombia, and Turkey,” R.A. Rajeev, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said.
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“In cities like Mumbai where people are facing traffic problems, such initiatives can be useful. If these pilot projects are successful, we may undertake a few more projects,” he said.
Mr. Fadnavis said the ₹3,500 crore multimodal integration (MMI) project for all the proposed Metro stations will provide commuters a smooth transit experience and also achieve the State’s objective of providing the last-mile connectivity. The MMI aims to facilitate works such as widened footpaths, bicycle tracks, parking zones, traffic signal improvement, street lighting, installing CCTV cameras, path-finding maps, feeder services, and street furniture.
Officials present in the meeting said the CM directed the MMRDA to work out a way of reducing the cost. “Constructing Metro corridors does not mean only providing transport facility from one end to another,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
“It must be a total experience for the commuters, meaning the provision of last-mile connectivity along with the facilities that will encourage one to travel — and travel in comfort,” he said. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and Yogesh Sagar, and mayors of various cities.
The CM also granted approval to the finance from the MMRDA to the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation (KIDC) for construction of Kavdas dam, which is part of the Surya dam project. The MMRDA will soon sign an MoU with the KIDC.
Mr. Rajeev said, “This will form part of the Surya dam project, which is being executed by the MMRDA. While we finance, it will be the responsibility of the KIDC to secure permissions, acquire land, rehabilitate PAPs, and prepare an environment impact assessment report.”
The logo of the Maha Mumbai Metro (M3) Operation Corporation was also unveiled at the meeting, which suggests an infinite loop formed with three Ms. It describes how M3 offers a seamless and continuous service in the operation and maintenance of the 12 Metro lines as they connect various parts of the metropolitan region. While the green in the identity stands for environmental consciousness, the blue stands for solidity and trust.