News / Author / Swapnil Rawal

Swapnil Rawal

Swapnil Rawal is Principal Correspondent with the Hindustan Times. He covers urban development and infrastructure. He had long stints with leading national dailies and has experience of over a decade in journalism.

Articles by Swapnil Rawal

Residents want to rename Dadar (East) monorail station to ‘Vitthal Mandir’

Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Central, Rahul Shewale and Congress MLA from Wadala, Kalidas Kolambkar, have backed the resident group’s demand.

“Since the station is bang opposite the replica of the Pandharpur temple in Dadar (East), we have written to MMRDA to change the name to ‘Vitthal Mandir’,” said Gautam Durge, president of the residents’ committee.(HT file photo)

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Published on Jan 18, 2017 09:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

MMRDA wants new contractor to run monorail, invites bids

The contract of the existing operator, Scomi Engineering, is set to expire in February. According to officials, Scomi was keen to extend its contract for another three years, but wanted to double the existing rate for each trip.

Currently, the MMRDA pays the operator Rs3,131 for every trip that the monorail makes. This includes maintenance of the entire fleet.(File photo)

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Published on Jan 14, 2017 12:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Now on cards: An expressway from Mumbai to Goa

If the project materialises, motorists can zip through the expressway in five to six hours

The existing Mumbai-Goa highway is a busy two-laned road making it accident-prone

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Updated on Jan 12, 2017 11:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Mumbai trans-harbour link project: 29 firms reach final stage of bidding

The construction of the 22-km link, which will connect Sewri and Nhava, has been divided into three parts

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Published on Jan 11, 2017 01:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Your wait for a single-ticketing system to travel across Mumbai just got longer

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has turned down Transport for London’s (TfL) offer to prepare a detailed plan for an Integrated Ticketing System (ITS). Reason: The MMRDA said it was too expensive.

You will have to wait a little longer for a single-ticketing system for the various modes of transport in the city.(HT)

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Updated on Jan 09, 2017 03:05 PM IST

HIndustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Maharashtra govt for Mumbai’s coastal road extension from Marve to Ghodbunder Road

The government has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to carry out a feasibility study on the extension

The BMC’s ambitious 29.2 km coastal road will be constructed in two phases.

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Updated on Jan 06, 2017 12:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Stronger mobile network, WiFi on Mumbai-Pune Expressway soon

Commuters on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will soon be able to enjoy WiFi connectivity. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to provide high-speed WiFi coverage zones on the 94-km expressway....

On Wednesday, MSRDC invited bids from telecom operators to enable the WiFi zones and also aims to strengthen cellular network on the expressway.(File photo)

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Updated on Jan 05, 2017 11:15 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Racing against 2021 deadline, Maharashtra opens bids for two more Metro lines

The bids were opened for Metro 2B, which will run between DN Nagar and Mankhurd, and Metro 4, between Wadala and Kasarvadavali

To speed up work, the MMRDA has decided to build the 23.5-km Metro 2B in five phases.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Jan 05, 2017 10:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Maharashtra seeks global bids to push construction of Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) on Monday invited global bids for the construction of the 701-km Mumbai Nagpur Super Communications Expressway.

The Mumbai Nagpur Super Communications Expressway, which is also called ‘Maharashtra Prosperity Corridor’, will pass through nearly a dozen districts(Pic for Representation)

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Published on Jan 03, 2017 09:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Fadnavis government’s pet projects face hurdles

Farmers are vehemently opposing the land acquisition for key projects including Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway, proposed airport in Purandar in Pune and Virar Alibaug Multi-modal Corridor.

The rising resistance to the pet project of the Fadanvis government could prove embarrassing for it while facing the 2019 elections.(HT Photo)

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Published on Dec 30, 2016 11:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByFaisal Malik and Swapnil Rawal, Mumbai

In Mumbai: Infra promises to keep in 2017

The new year could be a busy one if Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wants to finish flagship transport projects before the 2019 polls...

While the BJP government said it will ensure projects are given swift clearances from the state cabinet, many have been stuck, waiting for environmental approvals or facing opposition from locals.(File photo for representation)

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Updated on Dec 30, 2016 03:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

14th time in a row, deadline for Monorail corridor revised in Mumbai

The deadline to commission phase-II of the Monorail corridor between Wadala and Jacob Circle was revised for the 14th time after it looked unlikely that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority would finish the mandatory trial runs by February 2017.

This is not the first time that the project missed its deadline.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 26, 2016 10:04 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to give push to pending infra projects in Mumbai

With the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone on Saturday, the city’s marquee infrastructure projects that have been on the drawing board for many years now, will get a kick-start.

Preparations for the PM’s visit go on at Girgaum chowpatty on Tuesday.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 23, 2016 12:50 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

MMRDA to tap Metro car depots to generate revenue

Officials will utilise plots at Dahisar (East) and Charkop, which will house car depots for the Metro 7 and Metro 2A corridors

The MMRDA is looking at immediate and long-term measures to raise funds.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 22, 2016 12:29 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Purchase of chikki: Oppn slams clean chit to Munde

The minister was accused of flouting procedures in awarding contracts for supplying items such as chikki to schoolchildren

Minister said she felt validated by the development.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 22, 2016 12:02 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link: MMRDA explores funding option

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the much-delayed ambitious Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) project on December 24, the state government is looking at options to formalise its funding

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed to split the loan for the Rs17,750-crore project into two parts to reduce the burden on the state government.(HT File Photo)

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Published on Dec 20, 2016 01:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal

MSRDC proposes to set up a company to implement Nagpur-Mumbai E-way project

The corporation plans to raise Rs 26,750 crore from a multilateral agency and domestic market for the 710-km Expressway

The Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, which will pass through the most backward districts and 30 tehsils, will also have 24 development nodes or prosperity hubs(Pic for Representation)

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Updated on Dec 16, 2016 11:30 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena asked to vacate offices to make way for Metro 3 in Mumbai

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has issued notices to three political parties — Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena—asking them to temporarily vacate their party offices by December 26 as it plans to start work on the underground metro corridor that will link Colaba and SEEPZ in Andheri (east)

According to MMRC, the political parties have been provided with office space at Thackersey House in Ballard Estate.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 16, 2016 09:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

More than 1.3K dead on Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 6 years, but Maharashtra sits on trauma centre

The building of the trauma care centre at Ozarde, near Talegaon with operation rooms, recovery rooms, two helipads and other facilities is not functional as there are no doctors or paramedical staff to treat accident victims.

Touted as a world-class “high speed” expressway that rivals the best in the world, the 95-km expressway is fast emerging as a death trap.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 15, 2016 11:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Mumbai Metro and MTHL: Grand plans for launch, but no funds

PM Modi will on December 24 launch the much-delayed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project

The MMRDA has other infrastructure projects, including metro corridors, which are being funded by multilateral agencies.(File)

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Updated on Dec 12, 2016 01:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Modi to put Metro lines on track at Rs1.41-crore function in Mumbai

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will spend Rs1.41 crore for a function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch work on three of the state’s big-ticket transport projects.

The PM will lay the foundation stone for two metro projects — the Rs10,970-crore Metro line between DN Nagar and Mankhurd and the Rs14,549-crore Metro line connecting Wadala and Kasarwadawali in Thane — and the Rs17,750-crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link between Sewri and Nhava(Representation image)

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Published on Dec 10, 2016 12:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Maharashtra to ask Centre to relax CRZ norms for housing on salt pans

As the state government’s plan to unlock parts of 5,379 acre salt pan land in Mumbai to construct affordable housing has hit a roadblock, it is now planning to approach Centre to relax Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

MMRDA survey says only 25 acres of the salt pan land or 0.5% of it is developable without any hurdles.(HT Pic for Representation)

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Published on Dec 09, 2016 11:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Soon, more lanes on e-way to reach Pune from Mumbai faster

There will be two elevated roads in the valley section and two tunnels between Khalapur and Sinhgad institute near Kusgaon

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Updated on Dec 08, 2016 11:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal

In Mumbai: Soon, electric bus routes to Bandra-Kurla Complex

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will soon start operating hybrid and electric buses in Bandra-Kurla Complex by the end of January

The Wifi-enabled buses, operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), will come as a relief to commuters in the busy complex.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Dec 07, 2016 12:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Mumbai metro: 8-coach trains for Colaba-Bandra-Seepz corridor

The city’s first underground metro corridor that would connect Colaba with SEEPZ via Bandra will have trains with eight coaches and not six because the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has estimated a surge in the number of passengers if the project is completed by 2020

An underground corridor between Colaba and Bandra was first mooted in the Mumbai Metro Masterplan in 2004. The detailed project report was prepared by Rail India Technical and Economic Services in 2008 and the corridor was expected to be commissioned by 2016.(HT File Photo)

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Published on Dec 06, 2016 09:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Traffic snarls as toll tax restarts in Mumbai

Long queues greeted motorists heading in and out of Mumbai on Saturday morning as toll plazas started collecting tax at the five entry points three weeks after the Centre’s shock demonetisation move resulted in a waiver

Vehicles line up on the Sion-Panvel highway, as toll plazas began collected the tax on Saturday.(Bachchan Kumar)

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Published on Dec 03, 2016 10:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal and Pranab Jyoti Bhuyan, Mumbai

MMRDA may take land pooling route for Virar-Alibaug corridor

To encourage landowners to give up their land in the 32 villages through which the proposed 126-km Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor will pass, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring the land pooling option.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring the land pooling option for the corridor.(HT)

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Published on Dec 03, 2016 09:09 PM IST

BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

MMRDA plans to borrow for infra projects as land auction flops

After failing to attract any bidders for its land at Bandra-Kurla Complex, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to put its proposed land auction on the back-burner and instead raise funds by issuing secured bonds through Life Insurance Corporation of India.

MMRDA’s big-ticket projects include seven metro rail corridors, 130 km long, with an estimated cost of Rs 35,000 crore.(Praful Gangurde)

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Published on Dec 03, 2016 12:31 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

Drones to keep an eye on upcoming Metro projects

Aerial systems will help MMRDA to prepare accurate 3D models of area, its roads and proposed stations

The drones will help the MMRDA to survey and map out the alignment of Metro 2A and Metro 4.(HT File Photo)

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Published on Nov 28, 2016 12:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

MMRDA fast-tracks 2 Metro corridors, trans-harbour link

The consultants will help the MMRDA secure various clearances from government and semi-government agencies, examine the concept design and monitor construction of big-ticket infrastructure project

The MMRDA’s executive committee, headed by chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya, gave its administrative approval for the consultants to be appointed.(HT File Photo)

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Published on Nov 25, 2016 11:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySwapnil Rawal, Mumbai

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Swapnil Rawal

Swapnil Rawal is Principal Correspondent with the Hindustan Times. He covers urban development and infrastructure. He had long stints with leading national dailies and has experience of over a decade in journalism.

Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Central, Rahul Shewale and Congress MLA from Wadala, Kalidas Kolambkar, have backed the resident group’s demand.

The contract of the existing operator, Scomi Engineering, is set to expire in February. According to officials, Scomi was keen to extend its contract for another three years, but wanted to double the existing rate for each trip.

If the project materialises, motorists can zip through the expressway in five to six hours

The construction of the 22-km link, which will connect Sewri and Nhava, has been divided into three parts

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has turned down Transport for London’s (TfL) offer to prepare a detailed plan for an Integrated Ticketing System (ITS). Reason: The MMRDA said it was too expensive.

The government has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to carry out a feasibility study on the extension

Commuters on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will soon be able to enjoy WiFi connectivity. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to provide high-speed WiFi coverage zones on the 94-km expressway....

The bids were opened for Metro 2B, which will run between DN Nagar and Mankhurd, and Metro 4, between Wadala and Kasarvadavali

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) on Monday invited global bids for the construction of the 701-km Mumbai Nagpur Super Communications Expressway.

Farmers are vehemently opposing the land acquisition for key projects including Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway, proposed airport in Purandar in Pune and Virar Alibaug Multi-modal Corridor.

The new year could be a busy one if Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wants to finish flagship transport projects before the 2019 polls...

The deadline to commission phase-II of the Monorail corridor between Wadala and Jacob Circle was revised for the 14th time after it looked unlikely that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority would finish the mandatory trial runs by February 2017.

With the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone on Saturday, the city’s marquee infrastructure projects that have been on the drawing board for many years now, will get a kick-start.

Officials will utilise plots at Dahisar (East) and Charkop, which will house car depots for the Metro 7 and Metro 2A corridors

The minister was accused of flouting procedures in awarding contracts for supplying items such as chikki to schoolchildren

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the much-delayed ambitious Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) project on December 24, the state government is looking at options to formalise its funding

The corporation plans to raise Rs 26,750 crore from a multilateral agency and domestic market for the 710-km Expressway

The building of the trauma care centre at Ozarde, near Talegaon with operation rooms, recovery rooms, two helipads and other facilities is not functional as there are no doctors or paramedical staff to treat accident victims.

PM Modi will on December 24 launch the much-delayed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will spend Rs1.41 crore for a function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch work on three of the state’s big-ticket transport projects.

As the state government’s plan to unlock parts of 5,379 acre salt pan land in Mumbai to construct affordable housing has hit a roadblock, it is now planning to approach Centre to relax Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

There will be two elevated roads in the valley section and two tunnels between Khalapur and Sinhgad institute near Kusgaon

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will soon start operating hybrid and electric buses in Bandra-Kurla Complex by the end of January

The city’s first underground metro corridor that would connect Colaba with SEEPZ via Bandra will have trains with eight coaches and not six because the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has estimated a surge in the number of passengers if the project is completed by 2020

Long queues greeted motorists heading in and out of Mumbai on Saturday morning as toll plazas started collecting tax at the five entry points three weeks after the Centre’s shock demonetisation move resulted in a waiver

To encourage landowners to give up their land in the 32 villages through which the proposed 126-km Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor will pass, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring the land pooling option.

After failing to attract any bidders for its land at Bandra-Kurla Complex, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to put its proposed land auction on the back-burner and instead raise funds by issuing secured bonds through Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Aerial systems will help MMRDA to prepare accurate 3D models of area, its roads and proposed stations

The consultants will help the MMRDA secure various clearances from government and semi-government agencies, examine the concept design and monitor construction of big-ticket infrastructure project

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