MMRDA gets six bids for trans-harbour link [May 2012]

MMRDA gets six proposals to pre-qualify for developing Rs. 8,800 crore Mumbai Trans-harbour Link (MTHL) project. The nodal authority, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), proposes to build the link through public-private partnership on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.
The Maharashtra Government has declared the MTHL project as regional development project vide Resolution dated 08 June 2011 and authorising to undertake this project on public-private partnership (PPP) with 20 per cent viability gap funding from the Central Government.
The proposed 22-km long Link with a 16.5 km long bridge across Mumbai harbour and 5.5 km long viaduct approaches on the Sewri and Nhava sides. Interchanges are proposed at Sewri to connect to Eastern Freeway and at Chirle to connect to the NH 4B to facilitate traffic dispersal. The project involves construction of the longest sea bridge in the country.
“MTHL will facilitate smooth and faster communication in Mumbai and Main Land (Navi Mumbai), was envisaged about 30 years back. We are really happy that the project will now head to fruition”, comments Rahul Asthana, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA. MMRDA said a total of 18 companies grouped among themselves in consortia were involved in the six submissions. The consortiums that have submitted 6 proposals are: Cintra-Soma-SREI, Gammon Infrastructure Projects-OHL Concessions-G.S. Engineering; GMR Infrastructure-L&T-Samsung C&T Corpn; IL & FS Transportation Networks-Unity Infrastructure–Navayuga Engineering Co – Rizzani DE Eccher spA; IRB Infrastructure Developers-Hyundai; Tata Realty and Infrastructure-Autostrade Indian Infrastructure Development-Vinci Concessions Development.
“This link will also help development of Navi Mumbai, Raigad District and areas around”, Mr. Asthana adds. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to connect Sewri in the island city to Nhava in Navi Mumbai.

4