To give a boost to Metro railway projects in the city, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to grant autonomy to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), along the lines of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Speaking to the media, MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana said they were contemplating whether the present model was the correct one and were working to mould the MMRC into an “independent and autonomous organisation” which will devote time to the Metro project when the number of lines increased.
Presently, Asthana is chairman of the MMRC and additional commissioner SVR Srinivas is managing director. “To manage the extensive 146km-long network, we need an autonomous body on the lines of the DMRC,” said Asthana. In the proposed plan, the MMRDA commissioner will have no direct control on the working of the MMRC except for initiating a project, said Asthana. The MMRC would subsequently handle the operation and maintenance of the routes.
“We are thinking about it,” said Asthana, adding that they had they had already set the process in motion by conducting recruitments at various levels for the MMRC.
“The process of autonomy has started… it will take some time, it will be gradual,” said Asthana. He added that while they were seeking Central aid for the third arm of the Metro from Colaba to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and SEEPZ, the Government of India’s stipulations state that the chairman (non- executive) of such a body has to be the secretary, urban development, Government of India, while the managing director should be appointed by the state.
