The Maharashtra state government will sign the long-delayed state support agreement (SSA) for the Churchgate-Virar elevated corridor by the end of the month. Sources from the chief minister office (CMO) said concerned departments have already examined the agreement.
Differences between the state and railways on issues such as floor space index (FSI), land acquisition, utility shifting and way leave charges had caused a long delay in the signing of the agreement. “All issues have been addressed and the agreement is likely to be signed by March end,” said senior official from CMO, requesting anonymity.
The SSA will be the state’s commitment to help railways in land acquisition, shifting utility services on time, attaining more FSI to help developers generate funds and way leave charges for bringing equipment and required machinery to the city.
“This agreement says that state government will help railways for executing the project and required FSI will be also given. However, the exact FSI has not been defined in the agreement,” said Mahesh Kumar, WR general manager.
Another key development in the project is the appointment of a financial consultant by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), which is expected around the same time. The MRVC has already appointed legal consultants Hemant Sahai Associates and are in process of finalising financial consultants, tenders of which will be opened on March 15.
{{/usCountry}}Another key development in the project is the appointment of a financial consultant by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), which is expected around the same time. The MRVC has already appointed legal consultants Hemant Sahai Associates and are in process of finalising financial consultants, tenders of which will be opened on March 15.
{{/usCountry}}The air-conditioned Oval Maidan–Virar railway corridor will cost Rs21,000 crore and have 26 new railway stations, of which 19 are likely to be in Mumbai.