Tatas, GMR-L&T, 4 others in race for Trans-harbour link project

MUMBAI: The much-delayed Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link moved a bit closer to reality today with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority ( MMRDA) saying that it has received six pre-qualification bids, involving 18 companies, for the Rs 8,800-crore ambitious bridge.

The 18 companies that submitted six proposals, include the consortia led by Tata Realty & Infrastructure-Autostrade Indian Infrastructure Development-Vinci Concessions Development; GMR Infrastructure-L&T-Samsung C&T Corp; Gammon Infrastructure Projects-OHL Concessions-GS Engineering; IL&FS Transportation Networks-Unity Infrastructure-Navayuga Engineering Co-Rizzani DE Eccher spA; IRB Infrastructure Developers-Hyundai; and a consortium, led by Cintra-Soma-Srie.

This development comes after 30 years since the project was first mooted.

"We are really happy that the project will now head to fruition," MMRDA metropolitan commissioner Rahul Asthana said, adding the link will help the development of Navi Mumbai, Raigad district and the areas around.

The Rs 8,800-crore Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link connects Sewri in the north-eastern part of the island city to Nhava in Navi Mumbai across the eastern bay.

The 22-km-long link will have a 16.5-km bridge across Harbor and a 5.5-km long viaduct approaches on the Sewri and Nhava sides.

Interchanges are proposed at Sewri to connect to the Eastern Freeway and at Chirle, to connect to the NH 4B, the MMRDA said, adding that once completed, the project will be the longest sea bridge in the country.

The project will be implemented on a public-private partnership model, based on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis. The Centre has agreed to offer 20 per cent of the project cost through a viability gap funding.