The Rs 1634-cr 8-lane freeway

The Rs 1634-cr 8-lane freeway would reduce the 40-minute journey to just 8 minutes.

After almost five years of delay and disputes, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is all set to open on Tuesday with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi slated to open the cable-stayed bridge built by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC).

The Rs 1634-crore eight-lane freeway is expected to reduce the 40-minute journey for the commuters between Bandra, on the western suburb, to Worli in South Central Mumbai to just eight minutes.

Tuesday’s opening will allow commuters to use the first four lane of 4-km long bridge from Wednesday with the second four-lane expected to get completed by December this year.

Initially, the speed limit for the vehicles is 50 kilometres per hour and each vehicle is photographed when they enter the link and vehicle speed is monitored constantly. The link will also have CCTV cameras and police camps tracking the vecicle movement.“This is the most challenging project we had undertaken. Adjusting to the changes in bridge aligments and change in designs was a substantial challenge. It will be a landmark in the city of Mumbai after Gateway of India,'“ said Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of HCC.

Initially, the project was conceived at a cost of Rs 300 crore, to be finished by 2004. The cost has risen six fold to Rs 1600 crore due to constant change of plans and other delays.

Out of the total project cost, the Maharashtra government is expected to give Rs 580 crore as viability funding.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the nodal agency for the project, has raised Rs 150 crore from Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Rs 1500 crore from synidcated loans and Rs 76 crore from the sale of bonds. The MSRDC is also raising additional Rs 328 crore for the project.

Nearly 2,200 vehicles are expected to pass through the link every hour. Four wheelers will be charged a toll of Rs 50, over twelve seaters Rs 75 and trucks will be charged Rs 100 on one way movement on the link.To solve the trafiic snarls at the Worli side,which has narrow approach roads, the traffic police has drawn up detailed plans for the south-bound and north bound traffic movement.

For pedestrian movement, MSRDC is also building foot-over bridge after getting the clearance from the environment ministry.Initially, the speed limit for the vehicles is 50 kilometres per hour and each vehicle is photographed when they enter the link and vehicle speed is monitored constantly.

The link will also have CCTV cameras and police camps tracking the vehicle movement.“This is the most challenging project we had undertaken.

Adjusting to the changes in bridge aligments and change in designs was a substantial challenge. It will be a landmark in the city of Mumbai after Gateway of India,” said Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of HCC.

Courtesy: Business Standard