Mumbai suburban train system to be strengthened by May 2009

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) The government today said the project to strengthen Mumbai suburban railway system, being carried out under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-I, was targeted for completion by May 2009.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways R. Velu said the total cost of rail component of of Phase-I, being jointly executed by the World Bank, the Maharashtra Government and the Railways, was Rs 3125 crore.

While the World Bank has sanctioned Rs 1613 crore, the share of the Maharashtra government and the Railways is Rs 756 crore each.

Mr Velu said as the Maharashtra government is accounting for 50 per cent of the cost of the rail component of MUTP, the World Bank's funds are also to be shared equally between the Railway Ministry and the state government.

The project includes provision of additional lines, procurement, manufacture and retrofitting of EMUs (Electric Multiple Units), cosntruction of a car shed at Virar station and optimisation of Western and Central Railways.

UNI