Survey to begin on project to build bridges connecting Versova-Madh and Marve-Manori
THERE HAS BEEN STRONG OPPOSITION FROM THE RESIDENTS OF THE ISLANDS, WHICH HAVE BEEN RESOLVED FOR CARRYING OUT SURVEY. OUR MAJOR HURDLE NOW IS TO GET THE REQUISITE ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCES.
A BMC OFFICIAL
MUMBAI: Civic body’s plan to connect islands with cablestayed bridges to speed up commute finally got a boost.
A geotechnical survey to build the bridges connecting Versova- Madh and MarveManori in the western suburbs will start in a week’s time, said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials. The estimated cost of the Versova-Madh and MarveManori projects is Rs226 crore and Rs251 crore, respectively.
In a meeting held recently between the guardian minister of suburbs, residents of Madh and Marve and civic officials, it was decided that the geotechnical survey will begin soon.
Residents of both areas were opposing the plan and the matters were resolved in the meeting. They feared that their fishing and ferry businesses will be affected owing to the bridge and so they opposed the plan.
The geotechnical survey will be carried out to check whether the quality of soil is suitable for construction. The survey will seek to gauge the technical difficulties that might arise during construction. If the sources at the BMC are to be believed, the survey will also help the civic body curtail and minimise environment impact owing to the construction.
According to the preliminary study done by civic officials, travel time between Versova-Madh and MarveManori will cut down to 10 to 15 minutes from the existing 45 minutes to an hour by road. The BMC plans to construct four lanes on the 1.5-kilometre cable-stayed bridges.
However, t he f i nal decision will be made only after the detailed project report is submitted and environment clearances are issued.
SO Kori, chief engineer of bridges department, said, “In a meeting with the guardian minister last week, the residents agreed to allow us to start the survey. We will begin the survey in a week’s time and a detailed project report will be compiled after the survey.”
AMBITIOUS PROJECT TO SEE THE LIGHT OF THE DAY
The Versova-Madh and MarveManori project was marked in the Development Plan of 1991 This project aimed at linking the islands through cable-stayed bridges Travel time to be cut from one hour to 15 minutes, claimed BMC officials There was major opposition from the residents of Versova and Marve whereas residents of Madh and Manori were keen on the project
OTHER PENDING PROJECTS
Two bridges at Jogeshwari have been under construction for about five years Jogeshwari south bridge near Jogeshwari station is nearing completion and is expected to be thrown open for commuters by June Jogeshwari north bridge on Ram Mandir Road will take another year-and-a-half to complete owing to encroachment issues The department has spent about Rs500 crore on both bridges
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