Smashing past records, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority sanctioned a budget of Rs 16,909 crore for the fiscal 2019-2020 on Thursday, making it the highest allocation in the history of the Chief Minister-led body.

The allotment marks a significant rise from the current fiscal's budget, Rs 12,000 crore, in a year when Mumbaikars go to the ballot for general as well as state polls.

Around 44 per cent, or Rs 7,486 crore, of the funds has been allocated for Metro rail projects, ongoing and upcoming, including Rs 98 crore for the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro-1 corridor, which was opened to the public in 2014.

In contrast, for the ongoing financial year, some 40 per cent was dedicated to Metro construction work.

The troubled Chembur-Wadala Monorail has got Rs 150-crore share. Its second phase, till Jacob Circle, is going to start in the next two days.