[sustran] Re: Mumbai Rail Corp. will become a reality

[SAVE BOMBAY COMMITEE]

SAVE BOMBAY COMMITEE wrote:

> Just to correct Debi Goenka's email of 18.02.2000.
>
> 1. The World Bank announced in early 1997 that if has dropped
> consideration of r MUTPII.  I have the Bank letter.  It is true that
> the Bank team visits off and on but my  imprassion from talk with the
> team is that it is visiting Mumbai due to    persostent   request of
> the Mahrashtra Govt.
>
> 2. It would be incorrect to believe that marginal increase in petrol
> diesel prices is to meet the cost of flyovers, even partially.   Debi
> should be aware that increase was necessitated to offset terrible
> increases in international  petroleum   prices.  India is likely to
> lose Rs. 180 billion during  1999-2000 on petroleum imports.  Diesel
> price is still lower than that of  mineral water.  Again petrol prices
> are for  Central Government  while flyovers are  Maharashtra  venture.
>
> 3. It would be too much to expect any improvement now in suburban
> transport services if the Bank assisted us.  The Maharashtra
> Government has decided to phase out MUTPII in two part first part of
> road improvement  to  be taken up if the Bank assistance comes and
> second part of railway improvement to be deferred .  After creating
> chaos on roads- flyovers, elevated roads land sea links, hardly any
> improvement is likely.  Two main south-north cordinors were to be kept
> as they are  for public transport.  They are now having many hurdles
> due to  flyovers.  BEST  buses cannot use flyovers and will have to
> fend their way in bulk transport moving on existing  corridors.  The
> Bank has uptill now refused assistance  till  flyovers are not
> dropped.  Bank money in the present situation would undoubtedly
> increase liquidity which Maharashtra committed as it is to
> motorisation,  would use to increase facilities to private vehicles.
>
> 4. Debi has rightly pointed out the  Government  has let the MUTPII to
> languish though its share in MUTPII was  to be less than Rs. 15
> billion while it has pussued and is rigorously pressing motorisation
> by removing   pavements and  building totally useless  flyovers etc.
> How can any one expect the Government to pursue  programmes to support
> public transport ?
>
>
>
>
> Kisan Mehta
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