Title - Maharashtra panel to pave way for rail corridor

MUMBAI: The state government has formed a five-member panel to finalize a draft agreement related to its role in the ChurchgateVirar elevated railway corridor project.

The panel, which is likely to be appointed in a day or two, has been asked to complete the task within a fortnight.

The Western Railway, which is executing the Rs 20,700-crore project, has sought the state's support for issues involving relief and rehabilitation of the project affected, allotment of FSI for commercial exploitation, acquisition of land and temporary diversion of roads, among other issues.

It has submitted a draft support agreement to the state government. The urban development (UD) department has proposed appointment of a five-member panel, comprising heads of the UD, law and judiciary department, finance department, MMRDA chief and civic chief, to study the draft and finalize the agreement document.

The signing of the state support agreement would facilitate floating of bids for the project. Sources said the committee was formed at the instance of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who reviewed the proposal on Monday.

While the state is satisfied with the corridor's technical feasibility, it has insisted on submission of its financial feasibility. A source said that this would facilitate the decision on the extent of FSI and commercial exploitation to be permitted for the project.

It has also insisted on a holistic rehabilitation policy to ensure the project does not run into litigations.