TOI: Sealink to be ready for use by Dec 31: April 17, 2008 | Mumbai Projects by Government

Mumbai: If all goes well, then the much delayed Rs 1,634 crore Bandra-Worli sealink, described as one of the modern wonders of India, will be thrown open for regular use on December 31, 2008.

“Initially, there was some delay due to opposition from the local fishermen and public interest litigations against the project. We have successfully sorted them out and the project is now in the final stage. I am sure it will be completed by December 31,’’ Anil Deshmukh, minister for public works and chairman, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), told TOI on Wednesday.

Originally, the project was to be undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. However, in 1998, it was entrusted to MSRDC. After completing the basic formalities, work order for Rs 666 crore was issued in October 2000.

Even as the MSRDC was in the process of launching the project, local fishermen took strong objection on the project’s alignment. Simultaneously, three public interest litigations were filed in the Bombay high court, stating that the ministry of environment and forest had not approved the project, that there should have been a public hearing and thirdly, that there will be largescale noise pollution.

Deshmukh said though the MSRDC successfully fought the cases, the corporation had to shift the alignment in view of the objections raised by the fishermen. “We had no option but to shift the project at least half a km further into the sea, bring in a completely new state-of-the-art construction technology. As a result, the cost of the project increased from Rs 666 crore Rs 1,634 crore,’’ Deshmukh said.

Elaborating on the new technology, Deshmukh said the eight-lane sealink freeway from the interchange of Mahim intersection at the Bandra end to Worli seaface on Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Road will have two cablestayed bridges of 350 and 600 mtrs at Worli and Bandra respectively. “In Maharashtra, we are using the cable-stayed bridge technology for the first time,’’ he claimed.

On the benefits of the project, the minister said it will save at least Rs 100 crore per annum in fuel and vehicle operating cost, considerable savings in travel time—20 to 40 minutes as at least 23 signals will be avoided, reduce accidents, drastic reduction in traffic on existing roads, no adverse effect on fisheries, marine life and livelihood of fishermen and above all, Mumbai will get a new landmark.

On the current scenario, Deshmukh said according to the information garnered by the MSRDC, at least 1.20 lakh vehicles cross the Mahim causeway daily because of which the causeway between western suburbs and island city always witnesses traffic congestion. Under such circumstances, the new project will increase the route options of passengers travelling from the island city to the western suburbs and vice-versa.

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CONNECTING PEOPLE: The Bandra-Worli sealink, touted as one of the modern wonders of India, is being built at a cost of Rs 1,634 crore

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