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This picture is for representational purposes only | 26/11 and recession are slowing down infrastructure development in the city
The plans are ready, as are necessary clearances. But two important projects the Worli Haji Ali Sea Link and the Passenger Water Transport between Borivali and Nariman Point are stuck. It turns out the recent 26/11 attacks and global economic meltdown are taking their toll.
Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) failed to get a response from private companies when they floated tenders for Passenger Water Transport. And, the 17 companies who had bought tender forms for the Rs 1,200 crore-Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link did not respond to the deadline.
P Das, vice president MSRDC, said, "The recent 26/11 attack and the ongoing global economic problem has affected responses from private companies especially from those with foreign collaborations."
There had also been a slack in the speed of ongoing project like Bandra-Worli sea link as several German and Austrian engineers decided to go back. However, they recently returned.
Another senior official from MSRDC said, "Both the projects received lukewarm responses due to the global economic setback, added with the recent 26/11 attacks. Indian companies too didn't submit their responses as their foreign counterparts refused to travel to India to scrutinise tender documents."
The companies requested MSRDC to extend the deadline for the 3.2 km long Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link from November 29 to December 15. The travel advisories of these companies had asked their executives to avoid travelling to India.
Satish Gavai, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, MSRDC said, "The companies have again called for further short extension till end of December as they want more time to study tender documents". The sea link got environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests as it was a shorter sea link.
Inland Passenger Water Transport
The Rs 600 crore water transport project has been stuck for a very long time after the Vashi to Gateway of India hovercraft services were suspended due to lack of suitable jetties and insufficient government support.
However, MSRDC tried reviving this project when then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh appealed to them to expedite water transport services. Environment clearances were obtained and bidding dates for the tenders were extended.
A week ago, MSRDC floated tenders for this 55 km Borivali-Nariman Point water transport project again after they failed to get an initial response from private companies.
Samir Biswas, Joint Managing Director, MSRDC said, "We have again floated tenders for Inland Passenger Water Transport. We will be able to tell the effects of the global meltdown and the 26/11 attacks only after getting a response from private developers."
What does the delay mean?
Both these projects were supposed to start by mid-2009 but will now likely be delayed due to the lack of interest shown by private companies.
"Except for Bandra-Worli Sea Link, none of the other projects are progressing," said a senior MSRDC official. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link will be completed before monsoon next year.
Time zone
Time between Borivali and Nariman Point: 50 mins
Cost of one-way ticket: Rs 130
Passenger capacity: 100 to 300
Service can run (it wouldn't function during monsoon): 300 days
Proposed jetties: Borivali, Marve Beach, Versova, Juhu, Bandra and Nariman Point | 
