M'rashtra seeks Rs. 5,000-cr for road sector

In order to build the targeted road projects across the state, the state government in Maharashtra has sought Rs. 5,000-cr in this year's Union Budget special provision over and above the State's general share for carrying out big ticket infrastructure projects across infra segment. In addition to carry out the targeted projects in the road sector, the state would like to invest more funds on allied infra and construction activities including installing a Shivaji statue in the Arabian Sea and compensation for families of farmers who committed suicide and also building affordable housing in Mumbai. These apart, a portion of the funds will also be used to upgrade infrastructure in Naxal-affected areas by constructing more police stations and roads including facilitating the construction of eco-friendly industrial units across tribal belt. In the 2014-15 budget, Maharashtra received Rs. 1.25 lakh-cr for major infrastructure projects and Rs. 24,080-cr for road and rail projects. Some big-ticket projects in the city had received a major budgetary boost, including the Rs. 11,000cr Sewri-Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the 33 km Coastal Road Project, and Mono and Metro Rail corridors, said official sources.