stated, "There will be no need for extra construction on MTHL for the Metro line, as we will just have to add tracks. Already, Worli-Sewri underground Metro corridor is being constructed. The Sewri Metro station will connect MTHL, thereby linking it to Navi Mumbai." In September 2021, the MMRDA stated that regardless of the decision on metro lines, the agency would dedicate two lanes on the MTHL for a bus rapid transit system. The agency appointed a consultant to determine whether metro lines could be constructed on the MTHL in January 2022. The draft report of the study submitted in April 2022 found that the MTHL's existing pillars would not be able to support the load of a metro system. MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner SVR Srinivas stated that the agency was exploring solutions such as increasing the load bearing capacity of the pillars before making a final decision. Cost The cost of the MTHL has increased several times. In 2005, the cost of the project was estimated at . The cost was revised to 6000 crore in 2008. It was then increased to 8800 crore in November 2011 and to 9360 crore in August 2012. The MMRDA re-evaluated the cost project as about at 2014 prices. In April 2017, the project cost was estimated at , which includes 70 crore compensation to fishermen, 45 crore for installing noise barriers after opening the sea link, a 25 crore deposit as seed money to mangrove fund, another 25 crore for a compensatory mangrove restoration plan, and a mandatory expenditure of at least 335 crore for an "environment management programme". In July 2017, the MMRDA announced that it would provide a one-time payment of to each fisherman affected by the project. The agency received over 3,000 claims for compensation, and it will award payments to genuine claimants after screening the claims. JICA will fund 85% of the total cost through a loan at a concessional rate of yen-London Interbank Offered Rate plus 0.1% for the project activities, and 0.01% for consulting services, with a 30-year repayment period, including a 10-year grace period. JICA and the MMRDA signed the agreement to disburse the first tranche of the loan on 31 March 2017. The first tranche of is about 45% of the total project cost. The second tranche of was extended on 27 March 2020. The MMRDA will bear 1.2% of the project cost, and the