Both packages of MTHL linked amid fanfare

Both packages of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link MTHL which links the city and mainland Maharashtra were connected on Wednesday and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the first bus to cross the structure Engineers and other persons involved in its construction were inside the vehicleShinde said that the MTHL which will be Indiarsquos longest sea bridge would help in the development of growth centres at Chirle on the Navi Mumbai side and added that a third Mumbai would be developed thereFadnavis said ldquoToday the linkage of both MTHL packages has been completed and we expect to complete the entire work by November this year The MTHL is not just a bridge but an economic corridor that will help attain economic growth With the upcoming airport the Navi Mumbai side of MTHL will also see ahuge developmentrdquoFadnavis also thanked Prime Minister Narendra ModildquoThe project could see the light of day only due to the constant support from PM Narendra Modi ji I have been listening about the project since I came into politics but because of the PM the project has turned into reality and I also thank JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency for financing the projectrdquo Fadnavis saidAlso Read Maharashtra Samruddhirsquos Package14 to be a treat for sensesHe also pointed out that the bridge alignment was planned in such a way that flamingos which are known to visit the area would not be disturbedThe deputy chief minister also said that the traffic problems between the Eastern Freeway and Nariman Point would be solved as the MMRDA is planning to build a tunnel to remedy the matterShinde said hailed the connection of the packages as ldquoa very important milestonerdquo ldquoThe MTHL project will be a game changer for the entire state and is very important for the development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regionrdquo he statedHe added that the project would be inaugurated by ModildquoEnvironment balance was maintained during construction to ensure that flamingos were not disturbed The 22kmlong sixlane bridge will help connect Mumbai with the MumbaiPune expressway MumbaiGoa highway and even JNPT The work continued even during the COVID pandemic and I congratulate MMRDA and all contractors involved in the projectrdquo Shinde addedTalking about Samruddhi Mahamarg and the Metro Lines 7 and 2A Shinde said ldquoThe Samruddhi highway will be a game changer too as huge economic growth will happen around it The newly inaugurated Metro 7 and 2A have been successful as over two crore people have travelled via these lines to daterdquoThe MTHL comprises a 165kmlong sea bridge and a 55km viaduct on the land at either sideThe bridge will have interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai and at Shivaji Nagar and at NH4B in near Chirle The project is scheduled to be completed in November 202322kmLength of bridgeProject benefits The MTHL will bring about the physical and economic development of Navi Mumbai and Raigad district It will facilitate faster connectivity with the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport It will better connect Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Fuel and time will be saved as about one hour in travel time will be reduced to go between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai the MumbaiPune expressway and the MumbaiGoa highway It will help decongest traffic in Mumbai