New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) The central government is to fully fund a Rs.12 billion drainage project to prevent floods in Mumbai, it was announced here Wednesday.

The Brihanmumbai Storm Water Drainage Project (BRIMSTOWAD) "is vital to ensure that the problem of flooding in the city is ameliorated", a statement issued after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to review the major projects for the megapolis said.

This was also in keeping with a promise made by the prime minister to the residents of India's financial capital and the meeting cleared "the last hurdle for taking up the project", the statement added.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chauhan, and Principal Secretary to the prime minister T.K.A. Nair were present at the meeting, apart from officials of the Planning Commission and the ministries of finance and urban development.

The other projects taken up for review were:

* Mumbai Sewerage Disposal Project-Phase II;

* Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP);

* Mumbai Metro Projects - Versova-Andheri- Ghatkopar corridor, Coloba-Bandra-Charkop corridor, Mahim-Mankhurd corridor;

* Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Projects (MUIP);

* Transfer of saltpan land to Maharashtra government;

* Middle Vaitarna water supply project for Mumbai-IV;

* Development and protection of Mithi river and its surroundings;

* Worli-Bandra sea link project;

* Mumbai trans-harbour link;

* Thane Metro.

"The prime minister directed that Mumbai's development needs should receive very high priority, and its problems redressed without any delay," the statement said.

While reviewing the status of 5,378 acres of salt pan lands in Mumbai's suburbs, it was decided that efforts of various central and state agencies be coordinated and urgent measures evolved for using these lands for rehabilitation of slum dwellers, and facilitating the vacation of land of public projects presently occupied by slum dwellers.

"This would be a major step for the welfare of slum dwellers," the statement added.