Two bridges to connect city directly to Manori in 3 yrs.

In the next three years, motorists would be cross over the Marve-Manori creek using two bridges that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has proposed to construct. Currently, motorists have to travel approximately 25 km to get to Manori using the road via Mira-Bhayander and Uttan Gaon. The proposed bridges will start from Gorai in Borivali and Marve in Malad to Manori.

The two bridges have been on the drawing boards since 2009, but were stuck after opposition from locals and fishermen community. Officials of MMRDA said that now they have received requests from the elected representatives to go on with the project that will provide easier access roads to Manori.

According to officials, the approximate length of the two bridges will be around 1.2 km. “One of the bridges will start from Gorai to Manori near Essel World while the other will be from Marve beach to the southern tip of Manori. Right now for motorists, it’s a long detour,” said UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA. Officials said that the estimated cost of the two bridges is Rs 420 crore.

MMRDA, in 2009, had invited expression of interest (EoI) following which widespread protests from locals led by former petroleum minister and BJP leader Ram Naik broke out. Environmentalists, too, opposed the project stating the bridges will affect the network of mangroves in the region.

'Now the public representatives have agreed to the project; earlier there was a lot of opposition. I have had a meeting with the MP, MLAs and Municipal Councilors (corporators) of the area and they seem to agree that the project should be implemented,” Madan added.'The bridge from Gorai will be taken up first for construction as it is more useful for traffic and it also gives access to the southern tip.'

MMRDA is currently getting the detailed project reports (DPR) updated and will then initiate the procedure to get environment clearance. “What we have [DPRs] are quite old. We will the approach the environment ministry for the necessary clearances,' Madan said.

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