DEDICATED INVESTOR

Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India, is on an investment spree. The agency has recently signed agreements with the Indian Government for three major rail infrastructure projects worth a whopping Rs.152.95 billion. Of this, Rs.85.53 billion is the grant set aside for Phase-I of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), Rs.42.62 billion for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project (MTHL) and Rs.24.80 billion for the Mumbai Metro Line 3 project. As reported, Matsumoto believes the Western DFC project is a crucial part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor initiative and it will help create India’s largest industrial belt in the DMIC area. For the MTHL, this is notably the second tranche of JICA's funding for the project. Speaking about the Mumbai Metro Line 3 project, Matsumoto believes there is an essential need for the project in MMR, given the increase in population in Mumbai. According to him, the current situation highlights the need for MRTS in Mumbai, and aims at easing mobility and connectivity. A dedicated investor, indeed!