BMC seeks cut in Metro revenue from MMRDA
Demands 50 pc share, threatens to stall MMRDA proposals, including permission for commercial use of space at stations………Sudhir Suryawanshi
Demands 50 pc share, threatens to stall MMRDA proposals, including permission for commercial use of space at stations………Sudhir Suryawanshi
If the Mumbai Metro is to have a smooth run, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will have to share its revenue with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
For, if MMRDA refuse to give BMC a cut in the revenue, the latter has threatened to stall all its proposals, including granting of permission for commercial use of 1.25 lakh sq mts at stations on the upcoming Versova-Ghatkopar Metro route.
BMCs improvements committee chairman, Shailesh Phanse, said they have asked MMRDA to share 50 per cent of the revenue.
We have been providing them with all civic infrastructure and amenities, including water. It is MMRDAs duty to give us an equal share of the revenue. That money could be used for augmentation of the citys water supply to build better roads and construct bridges. I will take up the issue at the next meeting, said Phanse.
Another committee member said that since BMC is facing a financial crisis, the share of revenue could start new projects for the betterment of the city.
According to the MMRDA proposal forwarded to the improvements committee, there are plans to use around 1.25 lakh sq mts of space for commercial purposes (shops and other facilities) at 14 railway stations.
The Metro project will be a source of profit for MMRDA. But, if MMRDA is unwilling to share revenue with us, we will not pass their proposal. We will not even extend civic amenities like sewerage lines to MMRDA projects, he threatened.
Phanse pointed out that MMRDA is paying Rs 10 crore to Railways just for an NOC to build a bridge on which the Metro rail will cross the Western Railway tracks at Andheri. Similarly, why cannot we ask MMRDA to pay us for permission? Phanse said.
While MMRDA spokesperson Dilip Kavatkar said they will verify BMCs proposal before taking a decision, another MMRDA official said that the BMC demand is not viable.
We are undertaking the Metro, Mono Rail, skywalks and other projects to develop infrastructure in the city which is in a shoddy state. Actually, it is BMCs duty to undertake such projects to make Mumbai a world class city. Instead, we are doing their job, and now they want a 50 per cent share in revenue, which is sad. That can delay development in the city, he said, on condition of anonymity.