In an effort to fast track the 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the Maharashtra Government has decided to bring in equity participation from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The ambitious project costing ₹11,000 crore will connect, Central Mumbai with Raigad district.

A senior officer of the Maharashtra Government told Business Line that the port authorities have agreed to pick up a stake in the ₹11,000 crore project. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority along with the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd will be the other stakeholders.

The equity component in the project will be at 30 per cent, which would be provided by the three public bodies.

The debt component of 70 per cent will be bank rolled by Japan International Cooperation Agency, the officer said.

The officer added that initially the Maharashtra Government has plans to develop the project on a public-private partnership basis. But the response from infrastructure companies was very poor therefore the State government has decided to build the project on a cash-contract basis. The money spent on the project would be recovered through toll.

Acquistion For the project about 100 hectares of land needs to be acquired at Nhava Sheva near the JNPT port. The land acquired from the villagers will get the same compensation package that was provided for the Navi Mumbai airport, the official said.

The MTHL will link Sewri in Central Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Raigad district.

The business centres in the island city of Mumbai can get quick access with the hinterland, which is relatively less developed. MTHL will also offer a quick exit from Mumbai for motorists heading towards Pune and Goa. The link will also offer fast access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport.

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