Mumbai is fast lane for F1 track

At least a dozen leading developers and land owners have expressed keen interest in offering their respective properties for the proposed Formula 1 track in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The pre-feasibility consultants have already submitted their report to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and the report is under scrutiny at present.

Proposed model of the track

Confirming the development, MSRDC vice chairman and managing director Bipin Shrimali said that the land was yet to be identified; however, the corporation was already getting queries from leading land owners and developers across MMR.

“We are positive about taking this ambitious project ahead. The land plots are across the MMR and even MSRDC has two plots, which the consultants have found suitable.

The two consultants — UK based Capita Symonds and US based Louis Berger — have already submitted their preliminary findings on the F1 track project. We are at present studying the reports, and subsequently will start the proceedings to finalise the land,” said Shrimali.

The MMR Formula One track will be the second in the country after the Greater Noida track, which was recently inaugurated. Quashing any debate about whether a single country would be allowed two such tracks, Shrimali confirmed that the F1 officials had no objection to the project.

He added, “There was also some doubt regarding the proposed track not being close to an airport - a pre-requisite for a Formula One circuit. However, one of the first Formula One tracks in Silverstone (UK) is approximately 30 to 35 km away from both London and Birmingham. Moreover, the proposed new international airport will also be coming up in the coming decade, which means that the F1 track will be closer to the same.”

The developers also seem to be keeping an eye on other infrastructure development happening in the region.

“Thanks to the new airport, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and several other connectivity projects, the rest of MMR is likely to become the new international hub. Naturally, a lot of interest will be generated among land holders and developers regarding the project,” stated Shrimali.

In the recent past MSRDC has been exploring several plans to generate big revenue.

The plans pertain to a major portion of 23 land pockets along the 92-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which belong to the corporation.

The Mumbai-Pune corridor is being looked into as an economically viable stretch, and a comprehensive strategy to this regard is being formulated. (www.dnaindia.com)