MUMBAI, June 18: The ambitious Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-II has been divided into two phases to draw the World Bank’s interest in funding it again.
The non-rail part of the project which had 27 components, excluding traffic management schemes like signalisation, will now contain only three Rail Over Bridges (ROBs), construction of two roads (one of which is to be widened), creation of a one-way system between Mahim and Century Bazaar, parking demonstration plans between Churchgate and Nariman Point and purchase of BEST buses, in the first phase. The project cost for the first phase is estimated at Rs 500 crore.
Explaining the necessity for prioritising the projects, chief of Transport and Communications department, MMRDA, A V Ghangurde said that it was in keeping with the World Bank’s desire for quicker implementation of urgent projects. “Some of these ROBs to be undertaken do have rehabilitation problems, but the problem of encroachment is not very high,” he added.
Story continues below this ad
Apparently the operative word for the choice of these projects is that they should be “more or less clear”.
Despite the World Bank withdrawing support from the Rs 3500 crore MUTP-II, MMRDA officials are hopeful that it would renew support for a phase-wise implementation of the project. Referring to the bank’s disappointment at the tardy pace of the project, Ghangurde said WB had mentioned that it would not support the project `in its present state’. “We have had informal meetings with WB officials thereafter and are confident that they wouldsupport a smaller project,” he said. The projects are expected to be implemented by March 1998.
However, citizens’ groups have said MUTP-II will encourage private vehicles instead of public transport. “No efforts are made to reduce traffic on the streets. The more roads you bring into operation, the more private vehicles will be entering the city,” said Kisan Mehta, convenor of the Save Bombay Committee. The remarks were made at a seminar hosted by MMRDA early this month while releasing the Environmental Assessment Report on the MUTP-II.
Denying this, Ghangurde said that restriction of private entry into the central business district was very much part of MUTP-II.
Phase-I of the MUTP-II project includes
Story continues below this ad
Projects which are out
Construction of robs at
Kandivali (LC) No. 31
Borivali LC No. 33
Dahisar LC No. 34
Jogeshwari LC No. 26 & 27
MiraRoad-Bhayander LC No 35
Chunabhatti LC No 1
4 ROBs on WR beyond Mumbai limits
4 ROBs on CR beyond Mumbai limits
Construction of pedestrian subway
Adelphy Building, Churchgate
Hanuman Road, Vile Parle
Road improvements
Widening of Thane-Ghodbunder Road
New road
Western relief roadark¬Ut›ÃC¼Tt›tration plans between Churchgate and Nariman Point and purchase of BEST buses, in the first phase (see box). The project cost for the first phase is estimated at Rs 500 crore.Explaining the necessity for prioritising the projects, chief of Transport and Communications department, MMRDA, A V Ghangurde said that it was in keeping with the World Bank’s desire for quicker implementation of urgent projects. “Some of these ROBs to be undertaken do have rehabilitation problems, but the problem of encroachment is not very high,” he added. Apparently the operative word for the choice of these projects is that they should be “more or less clear”.Despite the World Bank withdrawing support from the Rs 3500 crore MUTP-II, MMRDA officials are hopeful that it would renew support for a phase-wise implementation of the project. Referring to the bank’s disappointment at the tardy pace of the project, Ghangurde said WB had mentioned that it would not support the project `in its present state’. “We have had informal meetings with WB officials thereafter and are confident that they wouldContinued on page 5ma¬Ut›`?¬Ut›ed silently as Sawant roamed around smiling at fellow corporators. An incensed Sudam Hiwarkar of Congress-I at this point of time pointed towards the mayor and said: “This man has no brains (tyanna akkal nahin).”This led to a fresh round of shouting. Sushma Dande sought an apology from Hiwarkar and threatened to throw him out. As tempers rose, Rane adjourned the House. Even as the mayor, the civic officials and people in the spectators’ gallery stood up to sing the National Anthem, several corporators remained seated.Soon after, Rane trooped out with a handful of corporators. However, Sena’s Tukaram Naik, younger brother of Ganesh Naik, blocked the exit and prevented others from leaving. He shouted: “The session is not over yet, the elections will take place.” He was joined by Sashikant Birajdar, Budhaji Bhoir, Sham Mahadik and Sanjeev Naik. Together they forced deputy Mayor Gopinath Thakur to occupy the mayor’s chair and asked him conduct the polls. Municipal secretary, C Devkar, the commissioner and his deputies were also prevented from leaving. While Devkar resisted attempts to force him to conduct the Continued on page 5th c¬Ut›È:¬Ut›mes.”Dalmiya stoutly refuted any move to shift the ICC headquarters. “It should not be shifted as the post of president will keep rotating. But there is a need for a separate office for the president.”A president’s secretariat would soon start operating from Calcutta, which would also host the first ever ICC conference to be held away from the Lord’s on December 9-10 this year.Soon after his election, Dalmiya said a worldwide programme for commercial partners would be developed and it was hoped that the first major sponsorship in the area could be announced before the end of 1997.YOUTH WORLD CUP IN SA: The ICC annual meeting had decided to hold the First Youth World Cup in South Africa in January next. Cricket would be a medal sport for the first time in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games “member countries have committed to send their best available teams,” he said.Briefing on the crucial annual ICC meeting, the chief executive, David Richards said, “we also agreed to enter into negotiations with Disney to establish an international standard cricket facility at the Disney World in Orlando, US.“Full members will commit their teams once each over the next three years so that ICC in conjunction with the governing body of cricket in the United States can stage triangular One-Day International series for a three year period to introduce cricket into that country,” he said.The ICC membership had been widened further by the acceptance of Belize, Cayman Islands and Sweden as affiliate members, bringing the total number of countries in this class of membership to 16, Richards said.c¬Ut›P4¬Ut›nally elected to the office.“As far as the GMBA is concerned, we are a district body and everything for us depends on what line of action is taken by the Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA). I honestly cannot visualise the picture ahead. The state calendar is out and the players will be in a state of disarray,” he added.Anil Pradhan, a former State player and one of the top coaches in the country who has produced players of the calibre of Radhika Bose, Jyoti Sanghi and Aparna Popat, said that the IBC’s progress depends on the reactions of the state units.“Fazil Ahmed has been in power for more than three decades and many of the officials in the state associations are serving out long tenures themselves. It’s a fluid situation right now. And considering the fact that the BAI is elected by the state units, I think a change in the constitution will be required to facilitate the forming of the new body.“Personally, I welcome the advent of Prakash’s confederation. It should have happened long ago. Prakash has played badminton and knows the needs of players. I believe he will look after the players and the players will expect this of him.“I don’t really know how the players will react to the new body, keeping in mind their understandable apprehensions of participating in tournaments organised by a breakaway group. "Among the changes I am looking forward to seeing under Padukone’s administration is an overall improved organisational setup that would bring in more tournaments, a better calendar and enhanced sponsorship.”
8 min read 
