A government model of engineering, procuring and construction (EPC) is being considered to execute the Rs 12,000-13,000 crore CST-Panvel fast-track elevated corridor project instead of the earlier PPP model.
The reasons for virtually disbanding the PPP model are lack of interest from any global or domestic private funding party, the ticket fare issue of RInfra-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited and the EPC model being considered for the Colaba-Seepz metro project.
“For the first time, a joint and integrated meeting of all stakeholders has been convened on Monday by the urban development department. NMMC has also been involved as a possible entity to share the cost so that resources can be pooled in. The civic body will greatly benefit from the mega infra project,” said Sunil R Darade, chief engineer (special project), Cidco.
The meeting is in the backdrop of Cidco having submitted a detailed report to the government and is learnt to have favored the EPC model.
Authorities of Bombay Port Trust (BPT) and Central Railway (CR) will also participate in the meeting. Port trust land will be used on some stretches for laying the new track.
The project, which is around 2-3 years old, has been in a limbo because of issues related to finding a funding partner and also alignment of tracks.
“Although the Indian Railways and the state government continue to remain partners in developing the ambitious project, the sharing of 50:50 cost, as was worked out earlier for various rail infra projects under MUTP-1 and MUTP-2, was yet to be worked out for this project,” said Prabhat Ranjan, CPRP, Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC).
MRVC was formed with 51% and 49 % equity participation by Indian Railways and state government.
There will be a new rail bridge over the Vashi creek for the fast-track elevated corridor as the old bridge pillars were not strong enough for the new corridor to run over it. MRVC sources said the existing one will not be able to take the increased load.
The corridor will provide new connectivity to the Navi Mumbai international airport on the lines of metro connectivity of Delhi airport with Connaught Place. It will provide a separate corridor and connectivity with Mumbai.
The corridor is essentially a metro connectivity where trains can run at high speeds of around 80kmph.
The metro run in the city (Navi Mumbai) from Vashi to Belapur will be a totally separate elevated corridor that will run parallel to Palm Beach Road. This is a proposal of Cidco. From Belapur to Panvel the track will run at the ground level.
Along with the Seawoods Grand Central transit oriented development project and Seawoods-Uran rail link, the elevated corridor route is an important and futuristic infra project for the growing city.
The corridor would ensure better and quicker travelling time from Karjat via the doubling of the Panvel-Karjat corridor.
The project has gathered pace with the new BJP government at the Centre and state. Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu, who is also from the state, has speeded
TOI
Indian Railway News 