Western Railway Seeks Rs 3.95 Billion Fee for BMC Water Pipelines
ECONOMY & POLICY

Western Railway Seeks Rs 3.95 Billion Fee for BMC Water Pipelines

Western Railway has invoiced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for Rs 3.95 billion in Right of Way (RoW) licence fees covering a ten year period for underground water pipelines laid beneath railway land across Mumbai. The demand, disclosed through an RTI query by railway activist Samir Zaveri, requires payment in advance.

These pipelines deliver filtered drinking water to millions of residents. Railway officials have based the charge on current market values of the land above the pipes, a valuation that has astonished civic authorities and policy experts.

Zaveri points out that BMC supplies water at only five paise per litre—among the most heavily subsidised rates in India—and argues that treating essential services as revenue streams undermines public welfare and inter governmental collaboration. He has appealed to the Ministry of Railways for a waiver or steep reduction, warning that the precedent could hinder other civic schemes needing to cross railway property. 

Western Railway has invoiced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for Rs 3.95 billion in Right of Way (RoW) licence fees covering a ten year period for underground water pipelines laid beneath railway land across Mumbai. The demand, disclosed through an RTI query by railway activist Samir Zaveri, requires payment in advance.These pipelines deliver filtered drinking water to millions of residents. Railway officials have based the charge on current market values of the land above the pipes, a valuation that has astonished civic authorities and policy experts.Zaveri points out that BMC supplies water at only five paise per litre—among the most heavily subsidised rates in India—and argues that treating essential services as revenue streams undermines public welfare and inter governmental collaboration. He has appealed to the Ministry of Railways for a waiver or steep reduction, warning that the precedent could hinder other civic schemes needing to cross railway property. 

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Next Story
Real Estate

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement