Come March 16, Mumbaikars will be able to make complete use of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) — present owner of the 4.7km long sea link — will throw open the north carriageway of the link on March 16. A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday during a meeting held by MSRDC chairman Jaydatt Kshirsagar, who also is the minister for public works (public enterprises).
MSRDC joint managing director Sonia Sethi, who is also holding the additional charge of the post of vice chairman, confirmed the development and said the chief minister is likely to inaugurate the bridge. Meanwhile, the state government has agreed to bail out the viability gap needed by MSRDC for constructing the second stretch of the sea link — Worli-Haji Ali Sea link. According to a senior MSRDC official, the government will bail out the corporation paying the Rs1,392 crore viability gap quoted by the consortium led by Reliance Infrastructure.
The R-Infra-Hyundai consortium was issued the letter of intent by MSRDC on February 26, and it has been given a period of 15 days to respond. “The concession agreement is likely to be signed by April 26 and after the 6 months needed for financial closure; work can begin in early November this year. The tolling rights will be transferred to R-Infra after the agreement is signed,” the official said.
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