The Vilasrao Deshmukh government is all set to drop nearly four kilometres of sealink between Malabar Hills and Nariman Point
MUMBAI: The Vilasrao Deshmukh government is all set to drop nearly four kilometres of sealink between Malabar Hills and Nariman Point which is part of the ambitious Rs4,500-crore Western Freeway sealink project. The reason apparently is to give an unobstructed view of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue which is to be installed in the sea, off Marine Drive.
“We have appointed EES Consultants to give us other engineering options to the sea-link,” revealed Anil Deshmukh, public works minister in-charge of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). According to MSRDC MD Satish Gavai, the government is of the opinion that the sealink will mar the view of not only the proposed Shivaji statue but also the entire Marine Drive.
“That is why we floated a tender to appoint a consultant so that we could explore other options to the sealink,” said Gavai.
Anil Deshmukh pointed out that the alternatives will be discussed next month after getting a report from the consultant. “We hope to get the report by next month,” he stated.
The state government plans to erect a 309-foot tall statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea that will be taller than the Statue of Liberty. A museum of historical literature and artifacts showcasing the era of the Maratha warrior will also come up at the base of the statue. The entire project is estimated to cost Rs200crore.
There are signs that another portion of the Western Freeway sealink may be aborted too.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), on behalf of the MSRDC, has appointed E Sreedharan-headed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to study the feasibility of an underground tunnel for the Haji Ali-Marine Drive stretch. If the project is viable, the tunnel will not only replace the proposed portion of the Western Freeway sealink, but it will also help avoid the controversial Peddar Road flyover.
At a meeting with metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad a month ago, DMRC chief E Sreedharan had volunteered to prepare a feasibility report since they have a vast experience in constructing several tunnels in Delhi.
Besides the underground tunnel, various other options to reach Nariman Point from Haji Ali are also being examined. This includes a road overbridge from Jacob Circle to Haji Ali from a location which is at present is a missing link.
The Peddar Road Residents Association (PRRA) is demanding an underground tunnel instead of the flyover as they feel it would only add to the traffic problems and also spoil the aesthetics of heritage structures around Chowpatty beach.
Meanwhile, Gavai told DNA that the state had already floated tenders for construction of the sealink between the Worli-end of the Bandra-Worli seaLink to Haji Ali, which will come up at a cost of more than Rs 3,000 crore. The proposed length of the Western Freeway sealink from Worli to Nariman Point is around 13.44 km and if the length of the Bandra-Worli sealink is added, the total length is 19.52 km.
Gavai said the state was also contemplating a tunnel from Malabar Hill to Marine Drive provided it was technically feasible.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}