On 10th May 2016, the Indian Merchants? Chamber, in association with the Free Press Journal, had organised a panel discussion on the issues facing Mumbai?s infrastructure, in view of the rapid development of the country?s financial capital.
Infrastructure development in the country?s financial capital Mumbai is currently progressing at an accelerated pace. The city has been witnessing dramatic changes in the status of infrastructure in recent years. This was the view of top officials from Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). These entities were part of a panel discussion organised by the Indian Merchants?Chamber, called ?Mumbai?s Infrastructure ?What is needed?? held in the city, in association with the Free Press Journal.
Ajoy Mehta, Municipal Commissioner, pointed out that infrastructural development must create more employment, which in turn would create demand for housing as well as transport facilities. He said that the quality of life must improve with the provision of schools, hospitals, open spaces and places of leisure.
?The quality of life would be evaluated by social equity in terms of gender equality and facilities for the disabled,? he asserted. On a comment over mangroves, he assured the house that mangroves will continue to remain a part of Mumbai and will be protected.
Listing various infrastructure projects that were completed recently including the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, the Eastern Freeway, Monorail and Metro I and II, MMRDA Commissioner UPS. Madan categorically stated that a lot has been happening to make Mumbai a world-class city.
?Several elevated corridor projects covering over 120 kilometres are starting simultaneously and in the next four years, the entire city will be covered by the Metro,? he assured.
Ashwini Bhide, MMRC Managing Director, pointed out that Metro III, which is a Rs 23,000 crore underground railway project from Colaba to Andheri via Bandra, would be completed in about five years and work order for civil works would be awarded in three months.
?Our Metro network is intended to provide uninterrupted connectivity to the citizens just like in cities like New York,? she remarked. The panel discussion was moderated by RN Bhaskar, Consulting Editor, Free Press Journal.
Earlier, while welcoming the officials, Dilip Piramal, President, IMC, said that there was huge pressure on the city?s civic services as the existing infrastructure was unable to cope with rapidly expanding demand. ?Affordable housing should be a priority,? he remarked.
IMC is a century-old chamber of commerce actively engaged in promotion of trade, industry and commerce. It reaches out to over 220,000 business establishments through its membership of nearly 3,000 entities and over 220 trade and industry associations. IMC has an active Ladies? Wing, Economic Research and Training Foundation and an ADR Centre, among other facilities.