Need of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
India’s rapid urbanization has led to issues with infrastructure development and traffic congestion, hindering economic growth. In response, the Government of India has prioritized transportation and connectivity in its plans for improving road networks. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region, home to 18.4 million people, is particularly impacted by this issue.
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The Government of Maharashtra has focused on developing Navi Mumbai to address these issues and promote economic development. This includes plans for a new international airport, Special Economic Zone, and the expansion of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) has been identified as a key infrastructure project for improving connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, which is crucial for the region’s economic development. The MTHL will be an expressway link featuring a dual three-lane bridge connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai.
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The project is necessary for addressing the varied travel needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and will help alleviate congestion in Mumbai by promoting the dispersal of the population to Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project Overview
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) is an ambitious infrastructure project being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in the state of Maharashtra, India. Spanning a distance of 21.8 kilometers, the MTHL will be a six-lane access-controlled sea bridge connecting Sewri in Mumbai with Chirle in Navi Mumbai.
Plans for the MTHL have been in the works since the 1990s, and after several attempts to get the project off the ground, construction finally began in April 2018. The project’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2016, and it is expected to be completed and opened to the public in August 2023.
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When completed, the MTHL will be the longest bridge/sea link in India, and 85% of its construction is being financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which released the first tranche of INR 7910 crore (approx. $1.22 billion) in March 2017. L&T and Tata Projects are the main contractors for the project.
The MTHL is expected to provide a much-needed alternative route for the heavily congested Mumbai-Pune Expressway and reduce travel time between the two cities from the current three hours to just 45 minutes. It will also provide a vital link between the mainland and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is currently under construction.
Overall, the MTHL is a crucial project for the development of the Mumbai metropolitan region and is expected to have a significant impact on the region’s economy and connectivity.
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Salient Features of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Estimated Cost | INR 17,843 crore |
| Total Project Length | 21.80 km |
| Bridge Length | 18.187 km |
| Material | Concrete & Steel |
| Estimated Deadline | August 2023 |
| Width of MTHL | 27 meters |
| Lanes Proposed | 6 Lanes |
| Current Status | Under Construction |
| Chief Lender for MTHL | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) |
| Owner | Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) |
| Project Model | Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) |
| General Consultant | AECOM-Padeo-Dar Al Handasah-TYLIN Consortium |
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Design and Alignment of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will be a six-lane expressway bridge that will pass over Sewri mudflats, Pir Pau Jetty, and Thane Creek channels, connecting Sewri in Mumbai with Chirle in Navi Mumbai. On the Sewri end, the MTHL will feature a three-level interchange to connect with the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor and Eastern Freeway. On the Navi Mumbai end, the bridge will have interchanges at Shivaji Nagar and Chirle.
The MTHL will be a concrete bridge with a 4 km steel span section in the middle to allow for ships to pass underneath. The longest span of the MTHL will be 180 meters, while the shortest will be 100 meters long. The lanes of the MTHL will have a width of 3.5 meters, with a 2.5 meter wide shoulder on either side and a 0.75 meter shoulder at the median, as recommended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The maximum speed limit on the MTHL will be restricted to 100 kmph.
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In addition to its main structure, the MTHL will also feature an intelligence transport system (ITS) and other amenities required for a marine bridge. Traffic conditions on the MTHL will be monitored and managed from a traffic control center using CCTV cameras and other facilities installed on the bridge. Variable message signs (VMS) will also be installed to display information for bridge users.
To meet environmental criteria, the MTHL will be equipped with noise barriers near the Sewri mudflat area and view barriers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
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Alignment/Route Map of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) released a map of the MTHL’s route in their Supplemental Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in November 2015. The satellite imagery of the MTHL can be viewed on Google Maps.
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Package, Tenders and contractor details of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project has been divided into four packages: three for civil construction and one for the intelligent transport systems (ITS). In November 2017, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) awarded the civil construction contracts with a deadline of 54 months. The contractors for each package are as follows:
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- Package 1: Sewri up to marker 10.38 km (10.38 km) – inter-tidal and marine construction: Larsen and Toubro – IHI Corporation JV
- Package 2: Marker 10.38-km up to step 18.187 km (7.807 km) – marine construction: Daewoo E&C – Tata Projects Limited JV
- Package 3: 18.187-km to NH-4B at Chirle (3.613 km): Larsen and Toubro
- Package 4: Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) includes Toll and Transport Management System and Equipment Installation: STRABAG – EFKON India JV