Additional Municipal Commissioner Vijay Matankar told reporters that these will be instrumental in considerably easing the movement of traffic in the most crowded parts of the metropolis and traffic. Work on these subways is scheduled to begin from January 2000.

Matankar, who handles the civic roads portfolio, said that at present a spot study is being carried out on the worst affected sites. The study is half-way through to completion. ``The CST subway has effectively reduced the congestion on the busy D N Road and a need is felt for reducing the congestion in several parts of the city,'' he added.

Matankar pointed out that study being carried out is an elaborate one. It sometimes takes an entire day to figure out the congestional pattern on a particular spot.``We are looking at the pattern of humantraffic during the morning, afternoon and evening hours. An area having congestion in the evening may not necessarily have congestion during morning or at noon. Like this we are able to find out the worst ever spots and can press for them at the time of short-listing.''

The cost of construction will be borne out by BMC and where it is possible to commercially exploit the sites it will be done accordingly. The CST subway has already been besieged with commercial offers and 47 out of 50 shops have been cleared. Henceforth tenders will be floated for the selection, he said.

Matankar also surprising told reporters that beautification work on the 50 roads taken up for the programme was almost complete. This is said was based on the daily reports issued to him from the field. The mayor had said a few days earlier that only two roads had been beautified so far. He had also said he would call for more funds to be allocated towards the drive.

Contingent to be sent to Orissa to aid govt's efforts
oBRIHANMUMBAI Municipal Corporation (BMC) is sending a contingent to cyclone-hit Orissa to supplement the Maharashtra government's relief efforts for survivors.

The contingent comprising some 150 sanitary staff besides a paramedics team assisted by twelve doctors and twelve nurses. It will be heading straight for Jagatsinghpur, the district adopted by the state government.Jagatsinghpur is among the worst affected districts.

Additional Municipal Commission Subodh Kumar told reporters that the team will also carry medicines and necessary medical equipment.``It is completely self-sufficient and will not burden the local administration there. Members of the contigent are carrying along tents and will be equipped to cook their own food.''

He said the basic task of the contingent would be to assist in relief and rescue operations being carried out in the district. They will be carrying medicines worth Rs 3 lakh with them. Also the sanitary staff will assist arrest of epidemic and in the disposal of the dead.The team will leave for Orissa tomorrow.