‘MSRDC should build Sewri-Nhava Sheva bridge’

Minister for public works (public undertakings) Jaidutt Kshirsagar has asserted his department’s claim over the Sewri-Nhava Sheva project.

During a recent meeting with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad, he urged them to pursue the claim of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) over the project instead of that of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The 22-km bridge, which was to be completed by December 2011, has become the victim of a tussle over which agency should implement the project — the MMRDA or the MSRDC. The Congress has clout in the MMRDA, as it is headed by the chief minister who is from the party. On the other hand, the MSRDC comes under the public works department (public undertakings) headed by Kshirsagar of the Nationalist Congress Party.

The delay in starting work has resulted in the project cost rising to about Rs8,000 crore from the initial estimate of Rs6,700 crore.
A senior secretary in the urban development department said, “The MMRDA claims it is better equipped than the MSRDC to undertake the project.” But Kshirsagar has rejected the argument, saying, “The MSRDC has been involved with the project right from the conceptual stage. Our department played an important role in getting all the clearances from the Centre. We did the groundwork. Why should we let go of our claim over the project?” He also dismissed the MMRDA’s argument that the MSRDC is financially weak. “There is no question of investments, as the project is to be implemented on a build-operate-transfer basis.”

Speaking with DNA, he said, “Though the project does not require investments from the state government, we would require the Centre to provide 20% viability gap funding. It has given an in-principle nod to the 20% funding, which works to Rs1,600 crore.”