The much awaited rail-road bridge project, which has been stalled since 2008, has been kicked off by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), who have invited bids for the Request for Qualification.
After development, the project will decongest Mumbai and bring about an accelerated development of Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Rahul Asthana, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA said:
“The entire implementation of the project with an estimated cost of Rs. 8800 Cr and it will be developed in the Public-Private Partnership on the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis.”
The project was stalled due to ‘bureaucratic hurdles’, as it was first decided to be developed fully by government funding, looking at the huge investment involved, it was then decided to be implemented on PPP model.
“Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will transform the way the city travels.
“With this link the vast areas on the main land would be available for expansion of the city in the future.
“This will also help provide boost to developments in Navi Mumbai, the districts of Raigad and the surrounding areas while enabling speedy movement to the proposed international airport in Navi Mumbai,” he added.
The Trans Harbour Link will connect Sewri in the Mumbai city to Nhava in Navi Mumbai. The link is 22 km long with a 16.5 km long bridge across Mumbai harbor 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 yet in the country.
MMRDA has scheduled a pre-application conference on December 14, 2011 for intending applicant bidders to raise their queries or make suggestions. It will respond to the queries by December 26, 2011.
Last date of submitting for the bid is February 7, 2011 and the short-listing of the bidders is expected to be announced within three weeks of the receipt of prequalification applications.
