23.10.12

MTHL cost rises




While construction on the 22-km Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) is yet to take off, the cost of the project has risen by over 60% in the last seven years—from Rs 6,000 crore in 2005 to Rs 9,630 crore now. The proposed six-lane freeway road bridge will start at Sewri in Mumbai, cross Thane Creek north of Elephanta Island and end at Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai.
Metropolitan commissioner Rahul Asthana said, “The estimated cost of the project has shot up from Rs 8,800 crore in 2010 to Rs 9,630 crore now. The increase is due to the additional scope of connecting arms on Sewri side of the MTHL. There would be no more escalations and the present cost will remain frozen.”
While arriving at the new figure of Rs 9,630, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is implementing the project, has accounted for a 25% escalation in the project’s cost on account of inflation and interest accrued during the construction. The proposed MTHL will also be linked to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Mumbai Goa highway. It is expected to be commissioned by 2017, said sources.
Said Asthana, “Once MTHL opens, there is bound to be huge traffic on the mainland. We need to create adequate infrastructure else roads will choke.” There are plans to construct a proper bridge over the creek between Uran and Rewas and widen the road.

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