Monorail from BKC to Bandra rly station gets MMRDA’s nod

Interestingly, for the first time a financial company has shown interest in funding an infrastructure project. “IDFC has expressed willingness to fund the nine km corridor. Now the pattern to be adopted for implementation of the project would be studied by the MMRDA and then the tendering process would begin,” Gaikwad added.

The project would be carried out in two phases. The first stretch from Kala Nagar to Bharat Diamond Bourse is expected to be completed in 18 months of getting a go-ahead while the second phase would be from Bharat Diamond Bourse to Bandra station (east). MMRDA aims to complete the project in three years. Meanwhile, the decision on the first route of monorail in the city is expected to come on Thursday after the Empowered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary takes a call on the financial bids of the sole bidder. According to Milind Mhaiskar, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, the BKC monorail route is less complicated than the first monorail which goes through congested stretches from Jacob Circle to Chembur via Wadala. “It’s a hindrance-free route, simpler than the first one. A second project always has the benefit of experience,” Mhaiskar said.