Metro rail project may start by June

Work on the first phase of the ambitious metro rail project in Mumbai is expected to commence by end of may or first week of June and would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh informed the assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a debate on the infrastructural development of the city, Deshmukh said evaluation of bids received for the Versova-Ghatkopar corridor of the metro rail is in the final stages and the centre would provide 20 per cent assistance by way of viability gap funding.

The chief minister said the world bank had agreed to fund infrastructural development in towns on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The state government was committed to development of Mumbai `with a human face', said Deshmukh.

While participating in the debate, several members highlighted the shortage of open spaces, inadequate drinking water supply, drainage and sewage systems and housing problems in the city.