Mumbai,which accounts for more than 50 per cent of countrys train passengers,expects three of its major projects to be approved in the railway budget to be presented on Friday. These projects are: introduction of 12-car rakes on the harbour line,approval and construction of Grant Road railway terminus project and platform no. 6A on Borivali station. The introduction of 12-car rakes on harbour line is one of the most important projects for the city. The sector,of late,has seen a rise in railway commuters and revenue. Even Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had shot a letter to the Railway Minister last month,urging her to club this project with already sanctioned Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP phase II) and announce it in the railway budget. The Grant Road terminus project,too,is pending for approval. We had submitted the proposal to the railway board early this year. But the project did not find inclusion in the interim budget. It is up to the new railway minister to give this project a priority, said a senior WR official. The Railway had planned to develop the Grant Road as terminus due to the congestion at Churchgate. The WR is also waiting for an approval to construct platform no. 6A at Borivali station. This was decided after the recent agitation at Borivali station. Such proposals are under purview of Divisional Railway Manager but this platform would cost a bit more. So,it needs approval and budgetary provisions, the railway official said. However,there are other projects that were promised by the subsequent railway ministers,but are either deserted or stuck in red-tape. The Phase I of the MUTP should be completed at the earliest. The laying of fifth and sixth lines between Kurla and Thane is yet to be completed. Even the conversion of DC to AC is pending on both the lines, said Shailendra Kamble of Pravaas Adhikar Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Mamatas predecessor Lalu Prasad Yadav had promised to introduce GO Mumbai card on Central and Western Railway and on BEST. Though the project was launched on BEST and Central Railway,it is yet to be introduced on Western Railway due to some technical hitches. Even the promise of AC trains and elevated trains between Churchgate and Virar is yet to be fulfilled.
