International agency offers to fund trans-harbour link

MUMBAI: The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has expressed interest in financing the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) planned between Sewri and Nhava.
MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana said that JICA has held discussions with his officials and expressed interest in financing the trans-harbour link as well as the second line of the Mumbai Metro on the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd line.
Meanwhile, Asthana said that 16 parties have asked for the tender documents for the work of consultant for the initial techno-feasibility studies on the link on the first day of the tenders being floated.
The MMRDA was debating using the public-private partnership (PPP) model instead of the cash and contract model for the 22-km long bridge, slated to cost Rs 8,000 crore. Officials said that the Centre was interested in the PPP model and would give a grant of up to 20% for the Viability Gap Funding.
The consultants who will carry out the feasibility studies will decide on which model to use. "We hope to have the tender documents for the building of the link ready by January," said Asthana.