Gadkari backs Fadnavis on PM-led panel for development of Mumbai
Under the PM's chairmanship, the clearance of Mumbai's infra projects will be speeded up, says Gadkari
Mumbai: Union minister for surface transport and shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday supported chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s proposal to create a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speed up Mumbai’s infrastructure projects pending clearances with the central government.
“I support his suggestion 100%. Mumbai is India’s commercial capital and also an important global city. The issues the city faces are serious," Gadkari said.
Opposition parties have termed the proposal the first step in what they say is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and make it a Union territory. Nationalist Congress president Sharad Pawar has already appealed to Modi that he should refuse chairmanship of such committee, as it will send a wrong signal and trigger similar demands from other metros too.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Thursday, Gadkari said, “Whether it is the Navi Mumbai airport, metro or sea link, clearance of all these projects at central government’s level gets inordinately delayed and if a committee is appointed under the prime minister’s chairmanship, then it will go a long way in clearing these projects."
Speaking about his own ministry, Gadkari said, “Electronic toll collection systems will be soon placed at all toll plazas across national highways, which will reduce waiting period at toll plazas significantly. In fact, such electronic systems have the potential to save ₹ 88,000 crore."
Citing a joint study by the Transport Corporation of India and the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Gadkari said, “Annually, ₹ 60,000 crore is lost on account of various delays at check posts. If you add time wasted at toll plazas, then the amount goes up to ₹ 88,000 crore."
Dismissing speculation that his plan to use excess land owned by Mumbai Port Trust for city’s development is nothing more than a real estate play, Gadkari said, “We will not be selling any land to builders; please do not have any such misconception. Land will be used only for improving the quality of life of citizens in the country’s financial capital."
Gadkari claimed the port land will be used to maintain greenery, and have open spaces where the children can play. There will be a convention centre, passenger service terminals and a marina for anchoring private yachts, among others.
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