Prabhu ‘runs over’ state’s wishlist

Rehabilitation of slums on railway land was another demand that was overlooked.

Plans for expansion of the world’s densest suburban train system — the Mumbai local train service — received a fillip in Suresh Prabhu’s Rail Budget on Wednesday. His speech mentioned the much-delayed third phase of Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-III). It, however, did not include almost all the other demands that had been made by the state in a pre-budget meeting. This was pointed out by several opposition leaders.

Ahead of the budget, the state government had presented an exhaustive wishlist to the Centre.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had held a meeting with Prabhu last month.

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The demands included cushioned seats in second-class coaches of Mumbai’s suburban trains, the mode of travel for the 7.5 million people everyday.

To reduce accidents due to overcrowding on suburban trains and improvement of commuter safety, the state had sought speedier introduction of automatic doors.

Prabhu, in his speech mentioned AC rakes on the suburban route but did not elaborate and he did not mention revival plans of the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) to decongest railway stations in Mumbai. Fadnavis had pushed for the project in December.

With the aim of a 100-km Metro network within six years, the state had demanded that Railways evolve a standard operating procedure (SOP) to accord approvals within a fixed time-frame. This is absent.

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Rehabilitation of slums on railway land was another demand that was overlooked.

Fadnavis said, “…I congratulate the rail minister for launching MUTP III… He (Prabhu) assured funds for improved connectivity in Vidarbha, Marathawada, and Konkan belts.”

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