File Photo: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (Agence France-Presse)
Assuring speedy implementation of various infrastructure projects in the city, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said work on the much-delayed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project will commence this year, while the regulatory approvals for the coastal road project will be in place in three months.
"I have set a timeline that we should be able to start the MTHL project this year itself. Besides, we want to get all the regulatory approvals for the coastal road project in the next three months and complete it within two years," Mr Fadnavis said at an event here today.
He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is implementing the coastal road project, will invite bids this year itself.
"Generally, it would take nearly 4-5 years to complete the coastal roads. But I feel why can't we plan it in a way that once the approvals are in place, the project can be completed in two years. From our working standards this is difficult. But since it is a complete green field project which will not require displacement, I believe we can develop the project in two years," Mr Fadnavis said.
The coastal road, estimated to cost about Rs 8,000 crore, is planned as a freeway from Nariman Point to Kandivali, while the Rs 8,800 crore MTHL will connect Sewri in the city to Nhava in the hinterland.
He said his government was working towards bringing down the number of statutory approvals for setting up any developmental project to 20 from the current 76.
"We are developing an IT platform, whereby all the requisite permissions will be made available through the platform and the concerned departments will be held responsible if there is any delay in granting approvals," he said.
Mr Fadnavis further said that in the last two months, he has cleared nearly 25 development plans.