Mumbai: The project of elevated local trains, one of the major rail projects announced in 2016 rail budget for Maharashtra, in Mumbai suburban has failed to meet its deadline for financial closure. In the rail budget last year, rail minister Suresh Prabhu had assured awarding early tenders for the project by the year-end, but the same is yet to avail. This was an important project for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, especially for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC) elections, which were underway last year. However, the BJP is facing criticism over not living upto its claims of time-bound decision-making, which is further affecting its election campaign.
In his budget speech, Mr Prabhu had said, “We are working towards achieving the financial closure and an early award of tenders for two elevated suburban corridors between Churchgate-Virar and CSTM-Panvel.” (Point 88 in 2016-17 rail budget).
Further, in April 2016, Mr Prabhu and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis decided that the Churchgate-Virar corridor would be completed in two phases. Phase one will be from Bandra to Virar and phase two from Churchgate to Bandra. Accordingly, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) submitted State Support Agreement (SSA) to the government.
When contacted, MRVC chief PRO Mr Prabhat Ranjan said, “SSA has been submitted to state government. It is under process. Financial closure could only be done after both parties signed the agreement.”
The Asian Age did not receive any response from Mr Prabhu after having contacted him through calls and SMSs.
Congress has taken a dig at BJP by criticising this delay. Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “This government makes hollow claims of quick decision-making, showers rain of dreams. But in reality nothing changes on ground. We will expose it in coming election campaigns.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP chief, Ashish Shelar tried defending the government saying, “It is not an issue of delay. State government has given approval in principle. Only, as per norm, project approval should come through state budget. It will be done in the coming budget.”
