MSRDC to spend Rs 35cr to offset impact of project

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has set aside Rs 35 crore for various works which will be implemented to reduce the impact of the Missing Link project to run parallel to the existing Mumbai-Pune expressway. As part of the project, the authorities have allocated funds for the development of villages, electrification, primary healthcare etc. The project will affect forest land in the Pune and Raigad areas. The Missing Link will start near the Khopoli exit and run up to Sinhgad Institute at Kusgaon, Pune district. The main aim of the corridor is to decongest traffic in the Ghat section of the expressway and cut travel time by 30 minutes.

A senior MSRDC official said, “We have allocated funds for some works that will be implemented in the villages and other areas along the corridor. A total Rs 35 crore has been set aside for various works. The project will take off in the next one month after receiving forest clearance.”

As per documents assessed by The Asian Age, MSRDC has planned restoration work worth Rs 15 crore in the Lonavala lake. Another official said, “Since one of the tunnels will pass beneath the lake, it will require work to be carried out once the project is completed.” The tunnel will run for 150m beneath the lake. MSRDC will carry out tunneling through the drilling and blasting method.

Among the other works, each of which will incur a cost of around Rs 5 crore, are: village and community development at Chavani village, medicinal plant conservation, electrification and solar lighting and a primary healthcare centre. MSRDC also plans to plant around 40,000 trees in the vicinity.

The missing link project

The 19.8km long corridor will have two cable-stayed bridges and two tunnels. It will require around 74 hectares of forest land in Raigad and Pune districts. The total cost of the project will be `4,800 crore. Motorists can travel at 120 km per hour along this route.