Maharashtra likely to ink MoU with Netherlands on coastal road

The coastal road will connect South Mumbai and Kandivali in North Mumbai

The Maharashtra government is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands to develop a 35-km long coastal road.

The agreement is likely to be inked during the three-day visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to India from today.

Rutte will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for a business session.

According to an official from the Chief Minister's office, Rutte will also lay a wreath at Mumbai's Hotel Taj Mahal Palace in memory of 26/11 victims.

The official said that Rutte will visit Bombay House for a meeting with Chief Executive officers (CEOs) and business tycoons.

"During the visit, there are several MoUs, like on transfer of technology and training of our staff which may be signed between the two governments," the official said.

"However, building of the coastal road will be the top priority ," the official added.

The official said that though China has shown keen interest in building the coastal road that will connect South Mumbai and Kandivali in North Mumbai with finance from China Bank, which is ready to lend at 2% interest per annum, the Netherlands is known for its expertise in building coastal roads.

"We have high expectations from the G-to-G (Government to Government) talks that will be held between Rutte and Fadnavis. If all goes well, the contract to build the coastal road would go to the Netherlands," the official claimed.

He further said that the state is expecting a relaxation in the 2011 notifications of Coastal Regulation Zone norms, that will allow the completion of the eastern coastal road.

According to him, the plan of the coastal road is ready and the state has planned to develop a 200-acre lush green belt along the road.

"There will be meeting on this issue with the Environment minister and secretaries of other departments on June 8. We expect the issue to be sorted out then," the official said.