2 years of Modi govt and Mumbai’s infra projects

While the Centre’s performance in two years is being discussed, it is unavoidable to look at the difference between the Modi government and the previous ones when it comes to an issue that bothers our city the most — infrastructure.

The Narendra Modi-led government had a grand celebration after completing two years in office. As part of the same, several Union ministers will be holding public functions in various parts of the state to remind people of all that the Modi government has done for them.

In the past few years, there were several occasions when it was felt that the Centre had no urgency in clearing infrastructure projects related to Mumbai and its surrounding areas. (HT Photo)

While the Centre’s performance in two years is being discussed, it is unavoidable to look at the difference between the Modi government and the previous ones when it comes to an issue that bothers our city the most — infrastructure.

The policy paralysis in the UPA-II government also affected several projects and initiatives in Maharashtra. In the past two decades, several plans and projects were made to rebuild Mumbai’s crumbling infrastructure, but the implementation has been really slow because of various reasons.

In the past few years, there were several occasions when it was felt that the Centre had no urgency in clearing infrastructure projects related to Mumbai and its surrounding areas. On this front, things seem to be better now. In the past two years, the Modi government has helped fast track some key projects. The Navi Mumbai International airport, which can decongest Mumbai airport and lead to the creation of a new growth centre in the Navi Mumbai-Raigad belt, seems to be back on track. The Centre also issued certain clearances to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (which aims to link Mumbai with the hinterland through a sealink between Sewri and Nhava in Raigad) and Mumbai coastal road.

Even politically significant projects such as the grand memorial of King Shivaji in the Arabian Sea as well as Dr Ambedkar memorial on the Indu mill land have been cleared on priority basis.

Top officers from Mantralaya said the urgency to push the projects is clearly seen under the new government. “During UPA II, especially during the past 2-3 years of the government, there was lack of initiative at all levels. We had to spend a lot of time and effort in following up the matters. Still, decisions would not come. Now the impression is that someone is in charge and there is a clear understanding that decisions must happen fast,” said a top official who has been handling key assignments in the state for the past 4-5 years.

With Suresh Prabhu in the Railway ministry, the city is hoping that the long-pending plans to increase the capacity of the suburban railway network and expansion of the area under it would be put on the fast track. Some indications are already visible.

The point here is about the initiative and political will being shown by the government even though there are different opinions on the utility or viability of some of these projects.

Of course, a major reason why Delhi is helping the state government with these projects is that the state elected a BJP-led government and the party does not want to give the Congress a chance to wrest power in 2019.

One hopes the same keenness continues and the long-pending infra projects are built in the next few years.

We also hope that the Centre also gives similar treatment to other crucial projects such as setting up an international financial centre in Mumbai and developing the city’s eastern waterfront through citizen-friendly development of the idle land in possession of Mumbai Port Trust.