MMRDA seeks World Bank, ADB funding for trans-harbour link

Says it can raise debt up to 80% of total cost of Rs 9,600 cr; 22-km project did not get any bids last month

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which has decided to develop the much-delayed Rs 9,630-crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project, is in talks with various foreign agencies for raising debt.
    
"We can raise debt to the extent of 80 per cent of the project cost. We are in talks with various foreign agencies like the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asian Development Bank among others for funding," MMRDA Commissioner UPS Madan told PTI here.
    
The MMRDA has so far received funding from the World Bank for phase I and II of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), while it has received a loan sanction to the extend of Rs 13,235 crore from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro corridor.

    

The state received a major setback as MMRDA did not receive any bid for the 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project last month.


    
"We have decided to develop the project on our own on engineering, procurement and construction basis. We will come out with a plan soon," Madan said.
    
The MMRDA is the implementing authority of the Rs 9,630 crore project connecting Sevri in the northeastern coast of the megapolis and Nhava across the sea, which is to be developed on built-operate-transfer basis.
    
According to an MMRDA official, the authority had provided all the necessary assistance to mitigate all kinds of risks for the private sector, right from clearances to assuring financial assistance. Yet no bids were received.

    
After repeated failed attempts, MMRDA had extended the deadline for shortlisted consortia to submit bids to July 5 from the earlier May 24.

However, the nodal implementation authority further extended the deadline to August 5, after the shortlisted bidders requested for additional time to finalise the bids.
    
Meanwhile, the state had also approached the Centre for making changes in the model document of the project on certain terms and conditions to address some of the issues faced by the private sector.
    
To address some of its financial risks, Union finance ministry in January this year, sanctioned viability gap funding to the tune of Rs 1,920 crore for the project.

    
Besides, the empowered committee of the finance ministry had also approved 10 per cent shortfall loan to the MTHL concessionaire.
    
Meanwhile, the phase I of Mumbai monorail between Wadala and Chembur as well as the first metro line Vesova-Andheri-Ghatkopar will become operational by December, Madan said.