Though the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the owner of Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is in deep financial trouble with a debt of Rs2,450 crore, the state government has given the sea link free of cost for yet another event — a cycle race on February 21.
First it was a Formula One car on the link in March last year, then the Marathon last month, and now a cyclathon.
As per rules, MSRDC charges Rs50 lakh per day for any event on the link. It also charges Rs50 lakh as refundable deposit. If the organisers intend to use the extra kilometre-long promenade, they will have to shell out an extra Rs one lakh per shift (8 hours) and Rs50,000 as refundable deposit. But, the state has decided to waive off all these charges.
At the MSRDC board meeting on Wednesday, it was decided to give the sea link ‘free of cost’ to the organisers. Defending the decision, MSRDC chairman and Public Works (public undertakings) minister Jaydatt Kshirsagar told DNA the decision was taken because it was the state’s centenary year.
When asked about the financial losses due to the event, the minister said it was not MSRDC, but the toll operator who would suffer losses. “Though we have not taken any policy decision about such events, this event will not be charged,” Kshirsagar said.
However, other officials of the financially burdened organisation are not at all happy with the decision. “We are already reeling under a huge debt. How can the government organise event after event free of cost on the sea link. The link is not meant for such events and a policy decision has to be taken regarding the same,” said a top MSRDC official requesting anonymity.
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