Maharashtra to pursue 22-km MTHL project

State to seek status of national importance from Centre; bridge considered crucial for connectivity with Navi Mumbai airport

After getting the Navi Mumbai airport project effectively on board, the Maharashtra government and its undertaking, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), plan to actively pursue the development of the Rs 9,360 crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project.

The government and MMRDA are keen to develop the 22-km link, which will connect Sewri on the island city to Nhava Seva in Navi Mumbai, on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis and not on the build-operate transfer model, considering past experience. The project was tendered three times in vain as no bids were received. An MMRDA official, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard: “The undertaking has already submitted a proposal to develop MTHL project through the EPC route to the state government for its approval.Tenders will be floated thereafter to rope in the contractors. MTHL will be crucial to connect the island city and Navi Mumbai, especially as the airport project is expected to soon take off.”

The official informed that under the EPC model, the MMRDA would organise funds and finance the MTHL project.

A state government official said the MTHL project would figure during the meeting convened by the Prime Minister's Office on November 13 with state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. “The government will make a strong case for the declaration of the MTHL project as a project of national importance so that maximum financial assistance from the Centre can be sought. The Union finance ministry in January had already sanctioned a viability gap funding of Rs 1,920 crore. Furthermore, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has expressed its desire to provide a loan to the state government for the project.”

The official said nearly 60 per cent funds will be mobilised from JICA while 20 per cent would be from the Centre. The balance will be contributed by the government and the MMRDA.