Chinese infrastructure major, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has expressed interest in constructing the much-awaited Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
The CCCC has also come up with financing options for the project, pending implementation since nearly 15 years, he said.
The discussions and subsequent developments took place during Fadnavis' recent visit to China as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delegation.
Addressing media persons to mark the completition of the BJP-Shiv Sena government's six months in office, at a media meet organised by Mantralaya & Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh he said the CCCC is a state-owned entity of China.
"As part of the province-to-province ties between the two countries, an idea of the PM, Maharashtra state and Shandong region of China are considering various things, and this (MTHL) is one of them," he said.
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Noting that CCCC is involved in urban transport projects, bridges, power and other infrastructure requirements, Fadnavis said his talks also veered to getting Chinese concessional funds to finance the MTHL.
The 22-km long MTHL, including 16.5 km over the Arabian Sea, is envisaged as a cable-stayed eight-lane bridge, with the possibility of a railway line being added, to connect Mumbai island with the mainland.
Two other bridges of this type are 36-km long Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China and the 26-km long King Fahd Causeway in Saudi Arabia.
The MTHL would have interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai and Chirle in Navi Mumbai, helping boost development on the mainland in Thane and Raigad.
It will ensure high speed connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and offer a quick link to Pune, Konkan and Goa, entailing huge savings in fuel and time.
