Eastern freeway to extend till Thane as CM clears Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slum project

As per the MMRDA, 33.15 hectare will be redeveloped to rehabilitate 16,575 slum dwellers of Ramabai Nagar area. This project will provide rightful ownership of houses to the slum occupants and is believed will improve the standard of living of people in slums currently. MMRDA will pay these beneficiaries’ rent for the first three years once the rehabilitation project work begins.

This is the first slum redevelopment project to be taken up by MMRDA.

This scheme will also free up land required to extend the Eastern Freeway from Mankhurd to Thane. Apart with this, an additional 5,000 flats approximately will be available to the MMRDA under this scheme.

The Ramabai Nagar Slum redevelopment project will generate 75 lakh sq ft of built-up area for commercial sale. The revenue from this developed space is expected to be around Rs 10,000 crore. The estimated cost of the project and revenue from commercial sale is substantially higher, making the project not only viable but also potentially profitable, as per the MMRDA.

According to Mukherjee, the redevelopment project will be constructed in joint association with SRA. The SRA will take conduct the survey work, annexure preparation as well as take consent from slum dwellers and help vacate the site. MMRDA will take care of the rehabilitation process through the construction of redeveloped buildings as well as build the Eastern Freeway’s extension up to Thane.

Mukherjee said the freeway expansion project will cost Rs 3,200 crore approximately and will be funded through Power Finance Corporation Limited. The loan repayment period will be 25 years. For the rehabilitation project, the MMRDA has initiated the process of getting funds through other borrowers by issuing a tender. Three bidders have shown interest in this, and the bids will be evaluated further. He stressed that the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slum project will generate a revenue and will pay back the project cost through saleable components.

The freeway extension is part of the road development plan of the BMC. Mukherjee said that MMRDA will construct the DP road passing through the slum cluster, which is around 2-3 km long. The project will not only provide new houses to slum occupants but will also bring this area under the tax ambit. The BMC is hopeful that once the project takes off, it will eventually generate additional revenue through water, road and property tax, another official said.

The MMRDA will in the meantime start the tendering process to appoint consultants, architects, etc.

MMRDA proposes pod taxi service in BKC

With an aim to alleviate traffic congestion in the bustling commercial hub of Mumbai, a pod taxi service is set to operate along the route connecting Bandra railway station, BKC and Kurla railway station. With over 4 lakh individuals employed in offices in BKC and an equal number of daily visitors, the area has experienced a surge in traffic, particularly from commuters using Bandra and Kurla/Sion railway stations.

To address this, the MMRDA has proposed a pod taxi system along this route. A thorough study conducted by consultants recommended implementing an automated rapid public transport system to elevate the stature of BKC and connect Bandra and Kurla railway stations.

A technical and financial feasibility report for the automated public rapid transport system has been approved, paving the way for the implementation of the system on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 1,016.38 crore. The next steps include initiating the tender process to appoint an independent engineer organisation required for the project.

The pod taxi network will span 8.8 km through BKC, with 38 stations along the route. The pods will be 3.5 metres long, 1.47 metres wide, and 1.8 metres high, with a maximum speed of 40 kmph and a passenger capacity of approximately 6 passengers per pod. The project depot will be located within BKC.