CM says not only suburban region but Mumbai Metropolitan Region also needs to be considered before making urban plans

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said not only the suburban region but the Mumbai Metropolitan Region also needs to be considered before making urban plans in future.

“Mobility and connectivity is quintessential for human existence,” the Chief Minister said at Kharkopar railway station after commissioning the new Nerul-Seawoods Darave-Belapur-Kharkopar suburban rail corridor and Panvel-Pen electrification work. The new line is the first phase of the 27-km Nerul-Belapur-Uran corridor on the Harbour Line. Mr. Fadnavis said, “Everything will get connected one day from bus to Metro to water transport to Monorail. One will be able to travel with a single ticket. Panvel will become the next important terminus like Dadar or CSMT.”

Upgrading services

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said up to ₹65,000 crore has been approved for a host of rail infrastructure projects on the suburban network in the city. Mr. Goyal said, “The decision of having an investment of a whopping ₹60,000 crore to ₹65,000 crore in the last proposed Budget has been approved. This will ensure the upgrading of the suburban railway system of Mumbai and its adjacent areas.”

Mr. Goyal appreciated the State government for completing the project nine months ahead of schedule. He said, “We have successfully launched AC trains in Mumbai and have ordered for 40 more. I believe in the next four to four-and-a-half years, the suburban rail network of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai or Maha Mumbai will see a complete metamorphosis.” Mr. Goyal said Mr. Fadnavis has set a target of making Maharashtra a trillion-dollar economy by 2025.

Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete backed the further expansion of the network to Pen, Diva and Roha. He said, “Mumbai is known for its connectivity and strong transport network. By expanding the facilities to other places, creation of Maha Mumbai is in progress.” Lokesh Chandra, managing director of CIDCO, termed the new line a Diwali gift for the people. He said, “We plan to connect it to JNPT and Navi Mumbai airport.”

Several train services and passenger amenities were inaugurated on Sunday, including induction of eight MEMU services between Vasai Road-Diva-Panvel-Pen, and opening six FOBs (foot over bridges) in Sewri, Mumbra, Bhandup, Parel, Kalva and Ghatkopar.

The other amenities were IP-based suburban train indicators at 10 stations, 206 additional CCTV cameras at six stations, two booking offices at Bhiwandi Road and Navde Road stations, raising of platform height to 900 mm at 273 platforms of stations, one megawatt solar power plant at the EMU carshed in Sanpada, 41 escalators at 23 stations, 10 lifts at six stations, six toilets at six stations, and 318 new ATVMs (Automatic Ticket Vending Machines) at 77 stations.

(With PTI inputs)