Chief Minister flagged off ’s first Monorail amid Bappa Morya chants!

Mumbai, February 1, 2014 – The Chief Minister Mr.Prithviraj Chavan, today, flagged off India’s first Monorail at Wadala Monorail Station and it moved amid loud chants of “Bappa Morya” bringing smile on his face. The Chief Minister, along with his few cabinet ministers and elected representatives, then traveled in the attractive pink coloured Monorail from Wadala to Chembur to address a public function at Mahatma Gandhi Maidan and announce the Monorail Project “Open” for Mumbaikars from Sunday. The city will now use the swanky Monorail from 7 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon with each Mono running every 15 minutes.

Asserting that the Democratic Front Government is making every effort to turn into a role model for modern urban development, the CM said, “After the Monorail we will soon start the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro corridor which is awaiting the Safety Certification. I am sure the Mumbaikars will enjoy Monorail and maintain the same as if it’s their own”. He also said, “Although, implementing heavy duty projects in a populated city like Mumbai is a huge challenge, we are committed to improve city’s infrastructure. The Government will soon sign 36 MoUs for mega projects in the State”.

“MMRDA has completed projects worth Rs.20,000 crore and few more ambitious projects worth Rs 30,000 crore are underway. We are trying to secure more funds from the Finance Commission and execute infrastructure projects to attain balanced development of the city and the State”, said the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,

While welcoming the dignitaries, Metropolitan Commissioner, Mr.UPS Madan said, “The Monorail is environment-friendly, air-conditioned, safe and economically cheap transport now available for Mumbaikars”. “The monorail will have various safety and security arrangements, CCTVs will be installed on stations and in rakes and first-aid will be available for the needy”, Mr. Madan said further.

During the Monorail function the Chief Minister also handed over food grains to needy people under the Food Security Programme which was unveiled by the Civil Supplies Minister, Mr. Anil Deshmukh and launched in Navi Mumbai at the hands of the Union Minister Mr..

Present on the occasion were, among others, Minister of state for Urban Development Minister Mr. ; Minister of state for Housing, Mr. ; Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Ms. Varsha Gaikwad; MPs Mr. , Mr. , Mr.Hussain Dalwai, Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, and MLAs Mr.Nawab Malik, Mr.Chandrakant Handore, Mr.Jagannath Shetty, Mr.Milind Kamble and Kalidas Kolambkar along with Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Mr.J.S Saharia, Additional Metropolitan Commissioners, Mr.Sanjay Sethi and Ms. Ashwini Bhide. (Ends)