PM Modi lays foundation stone of two metro corridors in Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of two metro corridors - Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro and Dahisar-Mira-Bhayander Metro in Maharashtra.

After laying the foundation, PM Modi said, "Mumbai and Thane are those parts of India which have helped the nation realise its dreams. People coming from small towns and villages have made a name here for themselves and made India proud. Those born here and living here are large-hearted and gave everyone a place in it."

The Rs 8,416-crore 24.9-km long Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan metro-5 corridor is expected to carry around 2.29 lakh commuters daily in 2021, with the entire system designed for six-coach trains. The corridor will have 17 stations.

The 10.3-km elevated Dahisar-Mira Bhayander metro-9 corridor, comprising eight stations, is expected to be completed by 2022, and the cost of the project is estimated at Rs 6,607 crore.

He also launched 90,000 units under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) and LIG (Low Income Group) housing scheme. The event also saw the launch of Navi Mumbai town planning authority City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra's (Cidco) mass housing scheme worth Rs 18,000 crore, which offers around 89,771 affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The opposition party in Maharashtra called the inauguration of projects as political stunt before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

NCP leader and legislator Jitendra Awhad Monday said the BJP government in Maharashtra has organised the foundation stone laying ceremony of Mumbai metro's fifth line with an eye on the 2019 elections.

(With PTI inputs)