"NITI Aayog Recommends ₹14,000 Crore Investment in Bus and Water Transport to Enhance Last-Mile Connectivity in Mumbai Region"

According to a recent NITI Aayog report, 5-10% of the estimated $17 billion allocated for Metro Rail transportation projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), equating to ₹7,000-₹14,000 crore, should be invested in enhancing non-Metro rail public transportation such as buses and water transport. This investment aims to bolster last-mile connectivity for daily Metro commuters.

Released on Thursday, the report emphasizes integrating bus services with coastal water transport to improve overall connectivity. The NITI Aayog report was unveiled in the presence of Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, and outlines strategies to elevate the MMR into a global economic hub.

The report highlights that while bus and water transport services are often deemed "loss-making" and face pressure to reduce operations, a well-coordinated network of buses and ferries can significantly alleviate city congestion, lower air pollution, and address last-mile connectivity issues. It advocates for investments and potential cross-subsidies to sustain and expand these services.

Moreover, the report recommends that buses and water transport vehicles be designed as sustainable electric vehicles to meet MMR’s sustainability goals and offer lower operational costs compared to diesel buses. It calls for targeted investments in electric buses and coastal ferry services, suggesting that MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) should oversee these operations with private sector participation and necessary viability gap funding.

Sources within BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) indicate that the management might seek government and MMRDA support for procuring new AC electric buses on a wet lease basis, which could address last-mile connectivity issues near Metro stations on Lines 1, 2A, and 7.

Currently, commuters report difficulties in finding feeder services such as buses or autos to reach their final destinations after traveling on Metro trains. Activists advocate for establishing dedicated feeder AC bus services at Metro stations, similar to the SATIS (Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme) at railway stations like Thane, where all transport modes are readily accessible.|

ET