The Bandra–Worli Sea Link (BWSL), officially called Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, is acable-stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts on either side that linksBandra in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in South Mumbai.[1] The bridge is a part of the proposed Western Freeway that will link the Western Suburbs toNariman Point in Mumbai's main business district.
The 
16 billion (US$290 million) bridge was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and built by the Hindustan Construction Company. The first four of the eight lanes of the bridge were opened to the public on 30 June 2009.[9] All eight lanes were opened on 24 March 2010.
16 billion (US$290 million) bridge was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and built by the Hindustan Construction Company. The first four of the eight lanes of the bridge were opened to the public on 30 June 2009.[9] All eight lanes were opened on 24 March 2010.
BWSL reduces travel time between Bandra and Worli during peak hours from 60–90 minutes to 20–30 minutes.[10] As of October 2009, BWSL had an average daily traffic of around 37,500 vehicles.[11]
Mahim Causeway was the only road connecting the western suburbs to Mumbai's central business district. This north-southwestern corridor became a bottleneck and was highly congested at peak hours. The West Island Freeway project was proposed to span the entire western coastline of Mumbai to ease congestion. BWSL, a bridge over Mahim Bay, was proposed as the first phase of this freeway system. offering an alternative route to the Mahim Causeway.
BWSL connects the intersection of the Western Express Highway and Swami Vivekanand Road (S.V. Road) in Bandra to the Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Road (Worli Seaface) in Worli. From Worli Seaface, it connects to Mumbai's arterial Annie BesantRoad.
The project was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC). The contract for construction was awarded to the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), with project management led by the UK offices of Dar Al-Handasah, with significant technology transfer from China.[12]
The foundation stone was laid in 1999 by Bal Thackeray. The original plan estimated the cost at 6.6 billion (US$120 million) to be completed in five years.[13] But the project was subject to numerous public interest litigations, with the 5-year delay resulting in the cost escalating to 16 billion (US$290 million),[14] with the additional interest cost alone accounting for 7 billion (US$130 million).[13]
6.6 billion (US$120 million) to be completed in five years.[13] But the project was subject to numerous public interest litigations, with the 5-year delay resulting in the cost escalating to 16 billion (US$290 million),[14] with the additional interest cost alone accounting for 7 billion (US$130 million).[13]
BWSL was named in the memory of late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.[4]
No comments:
Post a Comment