Financing Transportation In Fiscally Constrained Times: Transportation Strategies For Mumbai, India

The strategy detailed in this paper proposes to build on the current strengths of the existing transportation network, optimize its utilization, convert the threats into opportunities and shun the temptation to make Mumbai look like Shanghai or Singapore by taking up grandiose projects like trans- harbor sea links, elevated light rail or ‘Sky bus’ projects. In fiscally constrained times, the only alternative is to OPTIMIZE available infrastructure to; double the capacity of suburban trains with double decker coaches and bus service by dedicated bus lanes that can transform into light rail tracks in future; restrict entry of private cars in the city by area licensing, and prohibit cars 2 days a week; initiate ‘Park & Ride’ schemes at rail stations and bus depots, facilitate pedestrians and two wheelers for the east-west traffic, construct elevated pedestrian walkways as extensions of the foot over bridges at rail stations; provide a satellite air terminal in south Mumbai; reconsider construction of the Trans-Harbour link bridge using the investment instead for creation of employment opportunities on the mainland and construct a ‘calm sea channel’ along the west coast instead of the west island expressway, to facilitate plying of ferries all the year round.