Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link: MMRDA Skeptical As BJP Announces Sealink Opening On 25 December

Taking everyone by surprise, the BJP’s Maharashtra unit on Monday (21 November) made a social media announcement that the Mumbai Trans Harbour Sealink (MTHL) would be accessible to the public, starting 25 December.

However, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is executing the project, have expressed skepticism regarding this claim.

As per the MMRDA, several crucial components of the project, necessary for the sea-link to be functional, are still incomplete, making it challenging to meet the 25 December deadline.

“While we are in a position to complete the civil work by December, the tech systems vital for the project will take time to be put in place,” an Indian Express report said quoting a senior MMRDA official.

While the deck work, which includes tasks like asphalting and waterproofing, is nearing completion, package 4, which involves setting up of intelligent transport systems (ITS), including toll and transport management system and equipment installation for the project, are yet to be finished.

With the tender for the ITS system being awarded only in April this year, the project is unlikely to meet the December 25 deadline, said the MMRDA officials.

Furthermore, officials said that the announcement has put the organisation under extra pressure. Both the Maharashtra government and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority have not issued an official statement regarding the opening of the project.

Also, the MMRDA has not yet finalised the firm which will operate and maintain the mega infra project. In October 2023, the MMRDA had invited global tenders from experienced firms for operation and maintenance of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Sealink.

The selected contractor will be tasked with the maintenance of the project facility throughout the entire 24-month contract period.

21.8-Km Sea Link

Named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, after the former prime minister of India Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the project connects Sewri on the Mumbai side with Chirle on the Navi Mumbai side in Maharashtra.

The project comprises construction of approximately 21.8 km-long and six-lane-wide carriageway viaduct spanning the Mumbai Bay. This includes about 0.5 km of land viaduct at Sewri, around 16.3 km of viaducts extending over sea and creek, and about 4.9 km of viaducts and earth sections on the land located on the Navi Mumbai side.

This sea-link project commences from Messant Road at Sewri, where it connects with the Eastern Freeway and ends at mainland at Shivaji Nagar in Navi Mumbai, providing commuters with a seamless and swift 20-minute journey between these two key locations, free from traffic signals.

This fully access-controlled highway will have four interchanges, toll collection facilities and other necessary facilities and building to safely and efficiently operate the project after completion. The project also conforms generally with the relevant expressway standards and has a design speed of 100 km per hour.

Being hailed as the epitome of modern technology, the project has been designed for a lifespan of 100 years and constructed using state-of-the-art Japanese technology.

Described as a transformative initiative, its successful implementation has the potential to elevate the state's GDP by 5 per cent and contribute to a 1 per cent increase in the national GDP, as highlighted by Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner of MMRDA.

It's worth noting that, while more than 97 per cent work on the actual sea link is complete, the work on connectors is progressing slowly, which raises questions about the efficacy of the bridge.