Sewri-Nhava Sheva trans-harbour enters complex construction phase

The under-construction Sewri-Nhava Sheva trans-harbour link will enter into a phase of complex construction activity.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) of 22 km long, India's longest sea link, is to install its first orthotropic steel decks, which will enable spans up to six times more than usual.

According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), this technology is popular in Asia, South America and the United States. It is being used for the first time in India for infrastructure projects.

Commissioner of MMRDA, SVR Srinivas, told the media that span is the distance between the two piers of the bridge. The regular girders allow a span of about 30 metres, and the orthotropic steel decks enable spans of up to 180 metres.

He said that from December, the authority would begin some complex works on the MTHL. It will launch orthotropic steel decks for the first time in India's infrastructure project.

According to an MMRDA official, the bridge design was chosen as the most preferable for the 22 km long MTHL. It will help to accelerate the construction and give a longer life to the bridge at a relatively economical cost.

The trans-harbour will be a major connector to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. It will provide easy access to mainland Maharashtra and speed up the development process in Navi Mumbai.

The project is expected to be completed by 2022. The cost of MTHL has been made in three packages at Rs 17,843 crore, with a total construction cost of Rs 14,262 crore. It is among the most expensive infrastructure projects in India. The project sought a loan taken from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Contractors have claimed a 5-15% increase in construction cost, with more barges and delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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