Rs 16,000-cr worth sea link projects in Mumbai set to be scrapped

Opposition to toll collection, project viability might push government towards the move; developing a coastal road might be the alternative

Widespread opposition to the proposal of toll collection has prompted the Maharashtra government to cancel three sea link projects worth Rs 16,000 crore.

The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government in the state had proposed these sea links — Worli-Haji Ali sea link (Rs 5,000 crore), Bandra-Versova sea link (Rs 6,000 crore) and Nariman Point-Haji Ali Sea Link (Rs 5,000 crore) — as part of the Western Freeway Sea Link. However, the proposal to collect toll has encountered enormous opposition from the fishermen, and members of the ruling as well as the Opposition parties and non-government organisations have expressed doubt over its viability.

The government has now decided to implement the 35.6-km coastal road connecting Nariman Point in south Mumbai and Kandivli in the north.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — in which the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party are in the majority — will be the implementing agency for the Rs 8,500-crore coastal road project.

The state government expects an early environment clearance from the Centre after issues relating to the coastal regulation zones are resolved. Formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made soon.

A senior officer told Business Standard, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dropped sufficient hints two days ago in this regard during his reply to debate in the legislature. All three link roads will be toll-based. There has been widespread opposition to toll collection. In addition to this, the government is of the view that the development of the coastal road will be cheap and viable compared to three sea links. The government is hopeful that BMC will be able to start the construction of the coastal road by the year-end or early next year.”

The government has also decided to focus on the implementation of the Rs 45,000-crore Mumbai Metro-II project between Dahisar and Mankhurd via Charkop and Bandra, and Wadala and Kasarvadavali through Ghatkopar and Thane. Besides, the government is quite keen to launch the construction of Rs 23,136 crore Mumbai Metro III Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor early 2016.

This apart, the government is pursuing development of the Rs 11,000 crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project for which Japan International Cooperation Agency has expressed its desire to provide 80 per cent of the loan. The 22-km road, which will connect Sewree in south central Mumbai and Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, will drastically cut travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.