MMRDA

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Mumbai Metro

Bandra-Kurla

Wadala

Sewri

The commodities are already subject to a cess which funds 55 flyovers in the cityMumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority () is pondering a slew of funding options, including placing an additional cess on the sale of petrol and diesel. Recommended by the(DMRC), a consultant for theproject, the decision is currently pending with the state government.However, experts say implementing such a cess will be a tough task for the government as Mumbaikars are already paying multiple taxes on the commodities.In addition to a tax ­ recommended by MMRDA ­ for financing 55 of the city's flyovers, the commodity is also subject to a special drought cess, which the state government has not withdrawn despite a satisfactory monsoon this year.OTHER AVENUES FOR FUND GENERATIONDMRC has also suggested increase in stamp duty, vehicle registration duty as well as permitting increased floor space index (FSI) along the metro corridor for which the builders can be charged separately.“After looking at the options, the state may adopt just one of the recommendations or go for acombination of some. But yes, MMRDA needs a sustainable source of revenue generation to finance all these important infrastructure projects in the city,“ said MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan.The MMRDA is currently executing six metro corridors whose total cost is around Rs 70,000 crore.Such projects are normally financed under a 70:30 debt to equity ratio, according to which the agency will have to cough up as much as Rs 21,000 crore.But, at present, MMRDA only has cash reserves of around Rs 12,000 crores and 60 acres of land each inComplex and, which is valued at the same amount.While this may cover the cost for the metro project, the agency is simultaneously running other big-budget ventures in Mumbai, including the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link betweenand Nhava-Sheva and the monorail projects.