The Maharashtra Maritime Board had asked the authority to have a movable bridge, but due to increasing cost, it was decided to go for a higher bridge
After Mumbai, Raigad will be the second place in Maharashtra to get this long sea link.
The issue of the construction of the 2 km long Rewas-Karanja bridge has been resolved as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to raise the height of the bridge, so that ships can pass below it.
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After Mumbai, Raigad will be the second place in Maharashtra to get this long sea link. Illustration/Amit Bandre
Earlier the Maharashtra Maritime Board had asked MMRDA to have a movable bridge, which could be lifted for ships to pass but due to the increasing cost of construction MMRDA decided to construct a higher bridge.
An MMRDA official said, “The construction of a movable bridge, which can be lifted for ships to pass below, is a much costlier option, and so we will construct a normal bridge but its height will be more, so that ships and ferries can pass below it.”
The bridge will be across 2 km over the creek and will have 3 km approach roads on either side.
Last year MMRDA had invited tenders for a geotechnical survey for the bridge. The aim behind this survey was to get an idea about how the foundation or pillar works would have to be done.
After Mumbai, Raigad will be the second place in Maharashtra to get this long sea link or bridge connecting Rewas with Karanja at an estimated cost of over Rs 300 crore.
Easy commute
From many years, there was a demand from locals staying in Raigad area for a bridge across Rewas creek so that their commuting woes are solved, said an official.
It should be noted that at present, a person going to Rewas has to travel for 70 km via road to reach Karanja, which takes more than two hours to reach. The ferry services take 15 minutes between the two locations.
However during rainy season it becomes extremely difficult as ferry services are shut and so a person going to Rewas from Karanja has to take the road.
With a 2 km long sea bridge and 3 km long approach roads on either sides coming up between these two important tourist places in Raigad, not only the tourists going to Alibag will benefit, but it will also help in saving a lot of time and fuel that is wasted while traveling via road.
Another reason why MMRDA is keen on this project is because once the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) connecting Sewri with Nhava Sheva in Raigad is operational, then this Rewas-Karanja sea link will help tourists going towards Alibag and Murud.
As of now the project is in the planning stage and once the actual work starts, the bridge will be ready in three-four years. The project will require a Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) clearance as it passes over Rewas Creek.
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