Solving Transport Problems in Mumbai

Mumbai, being a metropolitan city, where the majority travel long distances, the infrastructure should be up to the mark for speedy and safe travel. To streamline the traffic and ensure easy connectivity for distant suburbs of Mumbai, the massive infrastructure projects planned by the Government are concrete steps towards opening up new locations for the hous-ing sector as well.

Anand Narayanan, National Directer - Residential Agency, Knight Frank India says, "This decade and the next will belong to Mumbai's Eastern corridor. The local development authority's planned infrastructure allocation is dis-proportionately skewed to enhancment in the eastern and the west-east corridor. The locations to watch are Chandivali, Santacruz, Wadala and Sewri."

He adds, "The classic evidence of the profile of a location rapidly enhancing because of the JVLR and the metro is Chandivali. People prefer Chandivali to a pricy Powai or Lokhandwala. Today it is still a location undervalued as com-pared to its demographic and infrastructure potential. Santacruz (W) is a strong alternate location contender to over-priced cousin Bandra. Again, the profile of this location would see tremen-dous uplift after the full commissioning of SCLR and Charkop - Santacruz - Bandra-Mankhurd metro connectivity De-mand will shift from more pricey locations to those being con-nected by these infra projects. Over the time the capital value of these locations willappreciate."

The 1,600 crore Bandra-Worli Sea Link comprising eight lanes has cut travel time of around 45-60 min-utes to under ten minutes.Mass rapid transit systems like the Metro and Mono Rail have been planned by MMRDA, which can reduce the pressure on existing networks.With plans for nine routes, the Metro will connect Andheri toGhafkopar through Asal-pha, Marol and Chakala. According to MMRDA, the first Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro Rail corridor is at an advanced stage; the soil testing for the second corridor from Charkop to Mankhurd via Bandra is almost complete.

The detailed project report of Charkop to Dahisar is expected soon. S VR Srinivas, Additional Metropolitan Commissloner, MMRDA said, "This project will be implemented on PPP basis. This line will improve the connectivity in southern - northern and eastern - western region of Mumbai, en-ablingpeople to save valuable time,"

Reliance Infrastructure, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group - Reliance Sealink One recently signed a BOT Concession Agreement with MSRDC for the construction of the 8-lane Worli to Haji Ali Sea Link, a key component in the Versova - Bandra - Nariman Point Sea Link.

Mr. Lalit Jalan, CEO and Director of R Infra said: "This iconic project will change the face of Mumbai. Together with Metro projects, R Infra would be spending over Rs 20,000 er in Mumbai alone. These infrastructure projects will ensure a world-class experience for the commuters".

Jogeshwari-Vikroli-Link-Road (JVLR), San-tacruz-Chembur-Link-Road (SCLR) and Mulund-Goregaon link roads will provide access to locations like Navi Mumbai via Chembur, Thane, and Kalyan via Vikroli. Distant Mira Road, Bhayander and Boisar, which are experi-encing growth currently will also benefit. Vivek Mohanani, Executive Director, Ekta World says, "JVLR is an excellent project - earlier Powai and Chandivali were considered far -now they are accessible. These projects will prove advantageous as the commuting systems of the city would improve, bringing adjoining suburbs in focus."

Jitendra Jain, MD & CEO, Neev Group of Companies says, "With easy access to transportation people have started moving towards the suburbs and outskirts of Mumbai; this has reduced the existing burden on the city There will be less road traffic and pollution as people opt for public transport. People will buy more spacious and reasonable homes even if it means being located towards the outskirts of Mumbai due to the connectivity These projects in-crease the flow of people in both direc-tions, toward and away from South Mumbai, diluting the overcrowding in trains and increasing the average speed on roads."

Traffic problem can be curbed through these transit systems. Kaizad Hateria, GM, Corporate Customer Relations and Sales, Rustomjee says, "The Mono and Metro Rail can reduce traffic congestion on roads with less fuel consumption. The peak hours of morn-ing and evening can be much better due to this rails. Infrastructure should be planned seamlessly by the government for the development of the city"

Skywalks and flyovers have also changed the city The government has plans to upgrade the existing systems of trains and buses as well. In a few years from now the connectivity will be at its best providing access to far-flung suburbs if things go as per plan.