BMC finalise consultant, to conduct an environmental impact study for constructing six bridges ahead of BMC polls

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finalized a consultant to help carry out environmental impact assessments, obtain permits and prepare bid documents for the appointment of contractors with a view to building six bridges in the western suburbs. "The consultant will also help us prepare bid documents for hiring contractors for the bridges," an official with the Bridge Department said Monday. The consultant will be paid Rs 2.61 crore and will have a time limit of 10 months to complete the work. 

A proposal will be submitted to the Standing Committee on Wednesday for final approval.  The Civil Body has appointed Tandon Urban Solutions Pvt. Ltd. as the project consultant.  From Andheri to Malad, the bridge from Mad to Versova Creek, from Marv to Manori, the bridge between the creek and the Oshiwara River, the Ramchandra Nalla Bridge at Evershine Nagar in Malad, and the Infinity Mall and Bridge at Lagoon Road in Malad.  Dharwali village.  Bridges will reduce travel time and reduce traffic congestion.  The construction of these six bridges will cost over Rs 1,000 crore.  Municipal Commissioner IS Chahal, in his budget speech for 2021-22, had proposed the construction of these six bridges.  Specific sites for all these bridges fall within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). 

In some places, reserved mangroves and forest patches may be affected.  The Consultant will conduct an environmental study with these aspects in mind, including the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, Maharashtra Coastal Authority (MCESMA), the Forest Department and the Bombay High Court for deforestation. 

The bridge between Madinah and Versova Creek has been under planning for years.  Currently, the distance between Versova and the island of Mad is 20 km, and Marvel and Madrid can be accessed by ferry or road from the Kativali Link Road.  The 1.5-kilometer bridge from Madeleine to Versova will reduce travel time from 1 hour to 20 minutes, officials said.