Mumbai: In a major development, the state has decided to exclude the component of purchasing new AC rakes for Mumbai Suburban Services from the Mumbai Urban Transport Project III and III-A. Instead of availing a loan, the state will bear 50 per cent of the cost, amounting to Rs 2413 crore, for purchasing 268 new AC rakes by disbursing the amount from its annual budget.

Earlier, while signing the agreement for the implementation of the MUTP III and 3A with the central government, the state was supposed to raise the required funds through a loan. For the MUTP III, the state and the centre have raised Rs 3500 crore through a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be repaid on a 50:50 sharing basis. For the MUTP III-A, Rs 33,690 crore needed to be raised equally by the centre and the state.

Now, the state has, in consultation with the central government, decided to exclude the part of procuring new AC rakes by availing loans and instead will bear 50 per cent of the total cost of the 268 AC rakes, sources in the know of the developments. The state can make the required provision in its annual budget for the coming years, as the new ranks will take some time, sources said.

Approval Given

On Tuesday, the cabinet committee on infrastructure gave its approval, and the proposal was forwarded to the central government for necessary approval. It might take a few months, and the central government will also make available its share, added the sources. The total cost of the MUTP III-A, approved by the state government in 2018, is huge considering the gamut of the projects, which includes development of new stations, new rakes, 3rd and 4th line between Kalyan and Badlapur, 5th and 6th line between Borivali and Virar, 4th lane between Kalyan and Asangaon, extending the harbour line between Goregaon and Borivali, remodelling of Kalyan Junction to separate the main line and the suburban line etc.

The cost of the MUTP III-A is expected to be shared by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, CIDCO and MMRDA as well. The project has achieved just 6 per cent physical progress to date. On the other hand, the MUTP III has achieved 42 per cent, and the MUTP II has achieved 87 per cent physical progress.

Mumbai: With heavy rains over the past few days causing flood-like situation in parts of Maharashtra, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has urged the Devendra Fadnavis-led government to declare a “wet drought” and provide urgent assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare to the affected farmers.

Incessant rains over the past few days in various parts of the state, including capital Mumbai and its metropolitan region, threw life out of gear. Hundreds of people had to be shifted to safety due to flooding, which also damaged crops on a large scale.

In a letter addressed to CM Fadnavis, Sapkal said due to the recent downpour, floodwaters have entered agricultural lands, severely damaging standing crops.

“It is estimated that more than 15 lakh acres of farmland across the state has suffered extensive damages,” he said.

Around 17 districts in Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra regions have been worst hit, while North Maharashtra and Konkan regions have also reported significant losses, he said.

Major crops, such as jowar, bajra, urad, maize, soybean, moong, cotton, tur, fruits and vegetables, have suffered extensive damages, while sugarcane cultivated on thousands of hectares of land has also been affected, he added.

In some areas, farmers have even lost livestock, and Nanded district has reported loss of human lives, the Congress leader said.

“The already distressed farmers are now facing yet another natural calamity,” Sapkal said.

While the government has issued orders to conduct crop damage assessments (panchnamas), he urged the state to set aside all rules, conditions, and procedures in this time of crisis and immediately extend financial assistance to farmers.

He also demanded that the families of those who lost their lives be provided with compassionate support and relief.

On Tuesday, CM Fadnavis told reporters that crops spread across 12 to 14 lakh acres of land have been damaged due to heavy rains lashing different parts of the state.

Mumbai: The Central Railway Mumbai DRM shared the latest update regarding local train services in the city on Wednesday. According to the update, train services on the Central Main Line, Harbour Line, and Trans Harbour Line are running slightly behind schedule.

The delay in services has been attributed to the intense rainfall the city has been experiencing since Monday. Due to the heavy downpour, several trains were delayed and many services were cancelled on Tuesday. Although train operations have resumed today, some trains are still running slightly behind their usual timings.

In an X post shared by the Mumbai Central Railway DRM, they mentioned, “Train Services Update (Main Line / Harbour Line & Tran Harbour) Train services on both the Central Main Line/Harbour Line and Trans Harbour line are running slightly behind schedule time.”

In another news story from Maharashtra, a significant step toward upgrading Mumbai’s suburban railway system, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved the acquisition of 268 fully air-conditioned local trains, marking the largest single procurement of modern train sets for the city’s busy rail network.

The announcement came following a Cabinet infrastructure committee meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He assured that fares for the AC local trains will remain equal to those of the existing non-AC general trains.

Speaking on the development, Fadnavis described the initiative as a “turning point” for Mumbai’s transport lifeline. The new air-conditioned rakes will come equipped with closed doors, automatic features, and metro-style amenities, progressively replacing the older open-door trains currently running on the Western and Central lines.

“This is about commuter safety, comfort, and speed. Most importantly, ticket fares will not increase,” the Chief Minister added. Procurement will begin once the Centre gives its approval.