Mumbai Trans-Harbour Bridge : Nhava-Sewri Sea Link

[Indiadreams]

It has been debated many times here. Simply put ,it doesn't help because Vashi bridge is the shortest route for 90% of Greater Mumbai even after MTHL is complete. I didnt get this why people say there are so many people travelling between Mumbai and Pune repeatedly. MTHL doesnt help them all. Why would I go through MTHL to go to Borivali, Thane, Virar or Kalyan or Bandra.? And there is a high speed rail planned too!!

As as you said, the priority should be building Panvel- Sion expressway on account of future traffic and a metro between Vashi and Greater Mumbai, where it is economical to construct a sea link. For those who dont know, island city ( which includes places like Mahim, Dadar) has only 30 lakh population out of 2.2 crore population of MMR. I dont need to say where the population and commerce growth is higher. It looks island city will become a rich man's land with tall buildings and sea view. Commerce would be centred around BKC.

Agreed, whenever you build, it may not be really profitable. But the priority is more important. The same MMRDA is quoting lack of funds for important public transportation projects.

As for as a previous post hintig self-interest, atleast in my case Bandra- Versova sea link would be far more beneficial. But still I would prefer public transportation to be given priority over sealinks at this point of time.

[azzi282]

If they have to, why dont they just expand the vashi bridge for now, seeing as thats closer to the main bulk of Mumbai, and the BKC (not so sure?). Build 20 goddam bridges over there if there's really that much traffic.... I personally dont understand the point in investing heavily on this bridge, unless the new airport is final (i.e: is in a later stage of construction)

Give metro connectivity through vashi as well

[IndiansUnite]

Originally Posted by azzi282

If they have to, why dont they just expand the vashi bridge for now, seeing as thats closer to the main bulk of Mumbai, and the BKC (not so sure?).

That's actually a part of the Sion-Panvel expressway's master plan. The developer (IVRCL+KIPL) won't be executing it though.

Vashi bridge to get 6 more lanes
http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/vashi...more-lanes-075

Two bridges — of three lanes each — have been planned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in a stretch that is parallel to the Vashi Bridge over the Thane creek. Authorities say that the proposed bridge will help provide better connectivity between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, while getting rid of the bottlenecks and traffic jams. The current bridge has fewer lanes, thus making entering and exiting Mumbai a Heculean task.

“The number of lanes on the present bridge linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai has only three lanes for either direction, while the total lanes on the Sion-Panvel Express Highway are many more,” said S. R. Nandargikar, chief engineer of MSRDC.

According to Mr Nandargikar, two bridges on either side of the existing one with only the road link will be constructed. Each of these bridges will have three lanes.

The estimated cost of the two bridges is `300 crore and presently, documentation is being undertaken to invite bids from interested parties. As the monsoon is round the corner, tender formalities will be completed soon, followed by designing and getting clearances from various government bodies and departments.

All these processes are expected to be completed during the monsoon and once summer begins, groundwork will begin on Thane creek. It will take around two years for the bridges to be ready.

The design of the proposed bridges will not be an attempt to make it look fancy by constructing a cable-stayed bridge. The reasons for not opting for a cable-stayed bri-dge is its high cost as well as the additional time needed to construct it.

[MT84]

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfee...t/1038032.html

Thane (Maha), Aug 8 (PTI) The CIDCO has at its agreed to give more than 100 hectares of land for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) connecting Sewree with Nhava in Navi Mumbai. City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) Chairman Pramod Hindurao told this to PTI here today. "The MMRDA had sought the land from the CIDCO for the MTHL project and during its recent board meeting, the CIDCO has resolved the pending issue by agreeing to give 100 hectares of land," Hindurao said. A proposal to give 12.50 per cent land and employment for at least one member of the family of the Project Affected People, was also tabled in the meeting, he said. According to him, the MMRDA had sought 96 hectares of land, which came under Chirle, Ghavan and Nhava Seva villages, which is in possession of CIDCO. 96 hectares of land will be used for the road, while around 8.50 hectares of land will be given to the contractor, to develop commercial structures, which could be used to generate funds for project capital, he said. The MTHL is proposed to be developed as an Expressway link with a six-lane dual carriageway road bridge and rail bridge connecting Sewri on Mumbai side to Nhava on Navi Mumbai side. The project is proposed to commence from the east side of Sewri railway station on the Harbour line of Central Railway, which would proceed to Nhava and terminate at the north of Chirle village with an interchange to National Highway 4B on the mainland, sources said. According to them, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Is nodal agency appointed by the Government of Maharashtra to implement this project. The development of phase I component is under bidding process and work is likely to be awarded soon. For remaining phase, the necessary studies have been commenced and same will implemented subsequently, sources said.

[akbarsyed]

Seems like a blessing in disguise . Time to call this off and add more lanes to the Vashi Bridge . That should be enough for the time being

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-...e1-933858.aspx

The rapid environment impact assessment (EIA) report of the Mumbai trans-harbour link (MTHL) claims that there are only 17 bird species in the Sewri mudflat. In contrast, a 2005 study by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) listed around 150 species in the area. Though the


controversial 22-km MTHL project is likely to get a fresh green clearance, environmentalists said the EIA has misrepresented and omitted some key facts about the sensitive Sewri mudflat. In May, the National Green Tribunal had asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to get a fresh environment clearance from the Centre as the old clearance had expired.
The EIA states, “Out of the 17 species of birds spotted in the study area, four are migratory while the rest are known to be resident species”. However, BNHS experts said the EIA is highly dubious as the Sewri mudflat has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a potential Ramsar site. A 2.1-km stretch of the bridge will pass through the Sewri mudflat.

“The BNHS study identified 150 bird species at the Sewri mudflat. The current alignment of the bridge is bound to disturb the eco-system of the birds,” said Asad Rahmani, director, BNHS.

While the EIA has only mentioned the black-headed ibis and lesser flamingos as near threatened, it does not mention the critically endangered oriental black vulture and long-billed vulture, the endangered spotted greenshank and the vulnerable greater spotted eagle and eastern imperial eagle.

A consortium of KPMG-Arup Consulting Engineers-Consulting Engineering Services (CES) prepared the EIA based on a study between October 2011 and December 2011, which is a peak season for migratory birds. “It is strange that the study finds as few as 17 species at the mudflat,” said Rahmani.

MMRDA officials said they would create special sound buffers to prevent flamingos from getting disturbed during the project’s construction phase. “Though there might be a minor disturbance, it won’t hamper the flamingo eco-system. We are expecting the Union environment ministry to respond to our presentation in 15 days,” said Vivek Ghanekar, superintendent engineer, MMRDA.

The EIA has also stated that as the pollution load on the mudflat is very high, “the eco-system is stressed and thus cannot be described as sensitive”.

“This claim is ironic. If an eco-system is stressed, it is surely sensitive and warrants attention,” Rahmani added.

[MT84]

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no...soon/1006878/0

The Union finance ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) will meet officials from the city’s development authority this week to approve the crucial Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and bid documents for the much-delayed Sewri-Nhava Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).

After the environmental nod, an approval for payment of the VGF and the Request For Proposal (RFP) documents are the last set of clearances required from the Centre before the project, which had been through two failed rounds of tendering earlier, can kick off this time.

Last week, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had made a presentation to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for environmental clearance. The authority had expressed confidence that it would get the green nod soon.

“The meeting this week will be one of the final rounds of discussions. We are expecting approval from the DEA soon after this meeting. We were expecting these approvals in June, but there were procedural delays,” said an official working on the project, which is being touted as the longest sea link in the country.

The Centre is expected to contribute a VGF of 20 per cent of the total project cost of Rs 9,630 crore, while the state government will give another 20 per cent. The 22-km MTHL will be built on a public private partnership basis, for which the MMRDA in May had shortlisted five consortia for the final stage of bidding.

“The DEA had sent us an appraisal note early in September to which we have responded. Now, the consortia are also expressing concern over the delay in approval of the VGF and RFP documents. They have started their preparation with draft RFP documents, but say they will need three-four months for preparation of bids after the final documents are handed over,” the MMRDA official said.

The MMRDA had earlier expected the consortia to submit detailed designs and financial bids by October and was planning to pick a contractor by November. “Now it seems we will be able to pick a contractor only by February or March and the actual work can start only by October next year,” the official added.

[shree711]

This bridge will eventually connect the navi mumbai airport to salsette island right?

[pkalein]

dude whole island city lies on salsette island

[p2p4]

Originally Posted by pkalein

dude whole island city lies on salsette island

khikhikhikhikhi.com :P

Tu P.L.Deshpande che "MHAISS" aikli ahes ka? Tyaat ek chaaritrya ahe Madhu Malushte... Amchya gaavatla laal jhenda dakhvinara "sh sh sh ... " tya madhu malushte cha avatar vatato :P Nako tithe swatah-che boodh ughdoon dakhavne !!

[pkalein]

Nako tithe swatah-che boodh ughdoon dakhavne

mhaiss :P

pan ugachach PL Deshpande che nav naka gheu nahitar to te pan kuthlya tari ingarji mansashi compare karaycha

[prakmrao]

Originally Posted by MT84

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no...soon/1006878/0

The first two letters of MMRDA should be read as Maha Moorkh. They invite the bids two-three times, discharge it, spends crores of rupees on advertisements and meetings finally to understand that Environmental Clearance has expired.

Now as per the latest notification of EIA 2006 and CRZ 2011, MMRDA has to complete first comprehensive EIA studies before any EC is considered. Even if they pressurise the ministry to give EC, it can be struck down by the courts. The whole procedure will take about two years. So all the prospective bidders can rest for a while.

[Cosmicbliss]

Originally Posted by pkalein

mhaiss :P

pan ugachach PL Deshpande che nav naka gheu nahitar to te pan kuthlya tari ingarji mansashi compare karaycha

he je thread ahe na he phakta MTHL saathi ahe. Zar tumala Marathi sahitya badal discuss karaicha ahe tumi naveen discussion forum ughada.

[akbarsyed]

Originally Posted by prakmrao

The first two letters of MMRDA should be read as Maha Moorkh. They invite the bids two-three times, discharge it, spends crores of rupees on advertisements and meetings finally to understand that Environmental Clearance has expired.

Now as per the latest notification of EIA 2006 and CRZ 2011, MMRDA has to complete first comprehensive EIA studies before any EC is considered. Even if they pressurise the ministry to give EC, it can be struck down by the courts. The whole procedure will take about two years. So all the prospective bidders can rest for a while.

Actually good news . I would have this delayed by another 5 - 6 years than become a white elephant . They should expand the Vashi bridge for the time being and understand the traffic patterns after the SIon- Panvel Expressway expansion and then if there is a need they may go for this .
Instead the resources could be better utilised to improve the existing roads , add more metro and BRTS routes and to improve the existing suburban lines

Just my 2 cents

[prakmrao]

Originally Posted by akbarsyed

Actually good news . I would have this delayed by another 5 - 6 years than become a white elephant . They should expand the Vashi bridge for the time being and understand the traffic patterns after the SIon- Panvel Expressway expansion and then if there is a need they may go for this .
Instead the resources could be better utilised to improve the existing roads , add more metro and BRTS routes and to improve the existing suburban lines

Just my 2 cents

+100

[pkalein]

Originally Posted by Cosmicbliss

he je thread ahe na he phakta MTHL saathi ahe. Zar tumala Marathi sahitya badal discuss karaicha ahe tumi naveen discussion forum ughada.

Infact thats a good idea anybody with me?

[shree711]

Originally Posted by pkalein

dude whole island city lies on salsette island

I know that. When did I say that Mumbai was not on Salsette Island. Having said that, Mira-Bhayander and Thane are there as well.

[Soul2018]

Originally Posted by pkalein

Infact thats a good idea anybody with me?

It's already there

[pkalein]

Originally Posted by shree711

I know that. When did I say that Mumbai was not on Salsette Island. Having said that, Mira-Bhayander and Thane are there as well.

If you know then why ask silly questions

[pkalein]

Originally Posted by Soul2018

It's already there

thanks a lot

[Pest1cide]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tr...ject/1010157/0

Trans-harbour link: Technical points rift delays project

Differences over technical points between the Centre and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is delaying approval to bid documents for Sewri-Nhava Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).

MMRDA discussed these points at a meeting in Delhi last week with the empowered institution of the Union finance ministry. The meeting was to consider approval for request for proposal documents and viability gap funding. The next discussion will be held on October 15.

“We had a good, long meeting with empowered institution and the additional secretary, department of economic affairs. They suggested adopting the model concession agreement for road contracts, but we have deviated a bit because MTHL would be a bridge,” said Rahul Asthana, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

As per the model concession agreement, if a road reaches its peak capacity the government can call bids for capacity augmentation and the concessionaire can participate. In case the concessionaire chooses not to submit a proposal or fails or declines to match the most-preferred offer, the government can terminate the concession agreement on payment of a termination fee.

Asthana said this clause could not be adopted for MTHL because it would be a four-lane bridge and if the contractor has to add two more lanes getting right of way, or ownership of land, would be difficult.

“They also said they feel the concession period we have proposed, 45 years, is way too long. We explained that there is a lot of risk involved in this project and bidders will look for a higher rate of return.

“But they accepted this is going to be a game-changer for Mumbai and also appreciated a lot of work has gone into the preparation,” he said.

Approvals from the central government for request for proposal documents and viability gap funding of 20 per cent of the project cost of Rs 9,630 crore are crucial for the five short-listed consortia to prepare and submit final bids.

The 22-km MTHL, which has been in the planning phase for more than three decades, has had a few false starts and has gone through two failed rounds of bidding.