Environment nod for Mumbai water transport projects

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has got environmental clearance for three mega water transport projects which are expected to ease traffic congestion in Mumbai. Collectively valued at Rs 8,200 crore, the environmental clearances for the projects were received over the week.

An ebullient, Anil Deshmukh, public works minister of the state said that the three projects included the "Trans-harbour Project" connecting Shivri to Nhava Sheva, "Western Sea-way" connecting Borivali to Nariman Point and the "Sea-way Project", connecting Mahim""Worli and Nariman Point.

While clearance for the Trans-harbour Project came on Thursday, Western Sea-way received the Maharashtra government nod on December 2. The first part of the Sea-way Project between Mahim to Worli was approved and conditional clearance was granted for the second phase extending it upto Nariman Point.

Deshmukh said that the projects were expected to ease traffic congestion in the megalopolis and also attract domestic tourists who would want to see and experience crossing over the sea water.

The Trans-harbour Project includes construction of a 22 km long bridge over a part of the Arabian Sea nudging Mumbai.

Deshmukh said that the Trans-harbour Project was estimated to cost Rs 4,000 crore while the Western Sea-way could cost up to Rs 1,300 crore and Sea-way Project Rs 2,900 crore.

The minister said that the projects will be offered on build-own-transfer (BOT) basis.

"We are confident that investors will come forward," he said.