The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is considering four options for constructing the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), after failing to attract private bidders for the project.

The four options under consideration include a direct cash contract wherein the government foots the bill; the developer constructs the sea link and is paid back in annual installments; taking up the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) where the Centre will bear 35 per cent of the project cost, the state government 15 per cent, and the implementing agency (MMRDA) will bear 50 per cent of the cost; and approaching either the World Bank or the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a loan.

MMRDA is planning to develop a 22 km sea link between Nhava and Sewri that will connect Mumbai to the hinterland and offer a quick getaway to Pune, Nashik and Goa.

On three previous occasions the developer failed to attract bidders for the Rs 9,630 crore project as private companies stayed away from participating in the tender, citing lack of clarity over the project's financial viability.

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