After the nod by the cabinet sub-committee a few days ago, it is now confirmed that a part of the second phase of the sea link, between Haji Ali and Nariman Point, will be a mix of tunnels and a sea bridge. The 10-odd km link, with a cost of over Rs8,000 crore, will be constructed on build-operate-transfer basis.
The approved plan consists of a sea bridge from Haji Ali to Priyadarshini Park, a deep (drill and blast) tunnel from Priyadarshini Park (Malabar Hill) to Tambe Chowk, and then a cut-and-cover tunnel from Tambe Chowk to Nariman Point. The shallow tunnel between Tambe Chowk and Nariman Point will run under the Queen’s Necklace on Marine Drive.
The shallow tunnel got preference over a sea bridge to avoid obstruction to the proposed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj off the Marine Drive coast.
Public Works minister Jaidatta Kshirsagar confirmed the decision taken by the sub-committee. “We will soon make an announcement in this respect,” he told DNA.An official from the department said the shallow tunnel would be a four-lane road running under Marine Drive.
The high power committee led by the chief secretary considered other options for the phase, including the viability of a direct tunnel from Haji Ali to Nariman Point, before the proposal was sent to the sub-committee. This option was ruled out by the committee.
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