The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to bear the ₹702 crore cost of an underground pedestrian link connecting the Science Centre Metro 3 station with the Coastal Road’s Worli promenade via the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
The proposal, which has been placed before the BMC Standing Committee, is likely to face opposition when it is discussed on Wednesday. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) will execute the project, while the civic body will provide the entire funding.
1.5-km underground pedestrian connection
The proposed pedestrian route will connect the Nehru Science Centre Metro 3 station with the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Coastal Road promenade. The project is intended to improve pedestrian connectivity between the metro station, the proposed Central Park at the racecourse and the coastal road.
The project is part of the wider Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plan for areas surrounding the 27 stations of the Colaba-SEEPZ Metro 3 corridor. Under the plan, development and pedestrian infrastructure within a 500-metre radius of metro stations is being considered.
An agreement has been reached between the state Urban Development Department, BMC and MMRCL for implementation of the project.
Why is BMC funding an MMRCL project?
The decision to make the civic body bear the ₹702.44 crore cost has triggered questions from political leaders, particularly at a time when the BMC is already facing significant financial commitments.
According to the proposal, the amount will be transferred to MMRCL in five phases. The civic body plans to finance the project through development charges collected from developers. BMC has been collecting an additional one per cent development charge on construction permissions since 2016.
The civic body has already contributed more than ₹2,500 crore towards metro-related works, adding to concerns over its growing financial burden.
Congress opposes the proposal
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi has opposed the proposal, arguing that the BMC cannot be treated as an “ATM” for every infrastructure project.
Azmi said the party does not oppose improved pedestrian facilities but questioned why the entire financial burden should fall on the civic body. He pointed to the BMC’s existing financial liabilities and argued that the state government should bear the cost instead.
The proposal is now expected to trigger a heated discussion in the Standing Committee, with the focus likely to remain on the project's public utility, the division of financial responsibility between government agencies and the BMC's already stretched finances.
Also Read: Thane Civic Body Launches Hemoglobinopathy Screening Drive for School Students