29.10.21

MMR: Public transport will need ₹5L cr upgrade over 20 years


The Comprehensive Transport Study -2 for the period up to 2041 has envisaged investments worth Rs 5.01lakh crore over a period of 20 years to upgrade infrastructure and transportation network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

MMR is spread across 6,355 sq km of area. It includes Mumbai and partial districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigadh having a population of 2.5 crore.

The final report on “CTS-2 for Mumbai Metropolitan Region” which was released by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday will guide all Municipal Corporations, Councils, CIDCO, MRVC, JNPT and MBPT, among others, for the next 20 years on infrastructure development, institutional growth and resource mobilisation.

Metropolitan commissioner SVR Srinivas said, “MMR will require Rs 5.01 lakh crore over a period of 20 years for various infrastructure projects like Metros, dedicated bus lanes and cycling lanes, etc. The purpose of this study is to give push to public tranport.”

It is estimated that the money will be raised by levying development charges to residential, commercial and industrial units, besides monetising the land. The money needed for operations and maintenance of assets can be raised by taxes, cess advertising, etc.

The updation of CTS for the MMR outlines the transportation strategies and guidance necessary to attain the vision under long-term (2041), medium-term (2031) and short-term (2026) scenarios.

“The future transportation envisages a seamless, integrated system that would facilitate commuters to travel across the region without major inconvenience using various modes of transport. The use of public transit has been emphasised to enhance mobility, accessibility and reduction of the carbon footprint,” said Srinivas.

The plan aims to improve share of those using public transport to 75.4 percent from 65.3 percent recorded in 2017.

While releasing the report, Thackeray said, “Today, the percentage of people taking public transport has reduced. One reason could be Covid-19 related lockdown. But it will increase only when we give a clean and neat public transport system to the people. However, we should not kill environment while going for development.”

Urban development minister Eknath Shinde said, “Every year, MMR experiences changes in our region’s dynamics with increase in the population. The CTS-2 highlights how transport system for the next 20 years will evolve.”

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