In a significant administrative reform, the Maharashtra State Government has established a high-powered committee tasked with the oversight and management of all metro rail projects across the state.
Led by the Chief Secretary, this committee comprises key officials from pivotal departments such as urban development, finance, planning, and law and justice, among others, heralding a centralised approach to strategic decision-making and project implementation. To streamline the implementation of Metro Rail Projects across Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur cities, the state government has established a permanent high power committee, said officials. Previously, the state operated under a fragmented system, with individual high-powered committees spearheaded by the Chief Secretary overseeing specific aspects of land acquisition, civil facilities, and rehabilitation for each metro project. However, recognising the need for a more cohesive and streamlined approach, the government has now consolidated these disparate entities into a single unified committee to address overarching policy matters and operational challenges inherent in metro rail projects.
The directive, issued by Vijay Chaudhari, Deputy Secretary of the state’s Urban Development Department on March 15, underscores the committee’s key responsibilities. These include formulating policy frameworks pertinent to metro construction and operations, approving land use changes and concessions, ensuring expeditious disbursement of the state’s financial commitments, exploring diverse funding mechanisms delineated in project reports, and setting stringent timelines for project execution. Moreover, the committee is empowered to adjudicate on matters transcending the state government’s jurisdiction and oversee project amendments mandated by both central and state authorities, thereby fostering a harmonised and responsive governance framework conducive to metro project success.
The formation of this unified committee marks a decisive step towards enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of metro rail initiatives across Maharashtra. By centralising decision-making authority and promoting cross-departmental collaboration, the government aims to mitigate bureaucratic hurdles, expedite project timelines, and optimise resource allocation, ultimately realising the state’s vision of a robust and interconnected metro network.The formation of the committee aims to streamline decision-making and facilitate smoother execution of metro rail projects across Maharashtra, said officials.
