Satish Gavai, vice chairman and managing director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation describes the journey of the Bandra Worli Sea Link and the way forward...
How does it feel to have brought such a mammoth project to a successful conclusion?
Implementation of mega projects such as Bandra Worli Sea Link is beset with several difficulties. One of the great challenges faced was the complete inaccessibility of the marine locations of the foundations during the four months of monsoon, which compelled the construction works to stop during the monsoons. The entire work had to be done during the fair season only. There were of course changes that had to be introduced to incorporate the requirements of the stakeholders. It is a matter of pride that the construction is now completed successfully and four lanes of Bandra Worli Sea Link project are being opened to traffic after the inauguration on June 30, 2009. I feel proud and relaxed too due to the successful completion of this project.
What was the rationale behind this project when it was conceptualised?
Bandra Worli Sea Link was conceived in the transport studies carried out by M/s. Wilber Smith in the year 1962. The study recommended West Island Freeway along the western coast between Bandra and Nariman Point. The study also envisaged the construction of an eastern freeway, the construction of which has been taken up by the MMRDA. The construction of these freeways on the western and eastern side of the city has been recommended in the successive transport studies carried out from time to time. The Bandra Worli Sea Link is the first phase of the proposed west island freeway and the further portions of the link are on the anvil.
Has the current volume of traffic exceeded those expectations?
It is true that there is a significant growth in the vehicular population in the city of Mumbai. This is quite in keeping with a similar trend noticed in the cities across the world. We need to create more road infrastructure to accommodate the requirements of traffic. As for the city of Mumbai, the construction of the Bandra Worli Sea Link is only an effort to put into place the infrastructure that forms a part of the transport blueprint prepared for our city through various transport strategy studies as pointed out above.
Were any existing projects worldwide used as a reference?
The construction of the cable stayed bridges that now adorns the skyline of Mumbai in the Bandra Worli Sea Link is a technology that is used to provide long spans under the bridge that permits navigation under the bridge. Several bridges have been constructed in the major cities in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge which is regarded as the emblem of the city of San Francisco in the USA is a suspension bridge. In our country there are only a few cable stayed bridges. The Bandra cable stayed bridge in the Bandra Worli Sea Link is the longest such bridge in our country. The Bandra Worli Sea Link is also unique since it is a precast segmental construction on a scale not seen earlier.The Project Consultants M/s. DAR are International Consultants, who have designed similar bridges in other countries in the world.
What were the specifications set by MSRDC?
The design specification parameters were finalized by International consultants. The specifications prescribed were the relevant international specifications. Generally, the specifications provided by the Indian roads congress have been used in this bridge. Where the national specifications do not apply for instance in regard to special structures such as the cable stayed bridges, the international specifications provided by worldwide codes e.g. eurocodes are used.
What were the unique challenges faced during the stages?
There were number of challenges that had to be faced during the conceptualization and the actual implementation. The entire project needed to conform to environmental regulations in force and needed to ensure no adverse impact on the coastline and surrounding areas. Model Studies were conducted through CWPRS, Khadakwasla, Pune regarding the effects of the bridge on the tidal movements etc. These confirmed that there are no adverse effects on the surrounding area (like erosion of coastal land, etc.).Further, some changes had to be made to incorporate the requirements of the fishermen in Worli area. A long span bridge was introduced on the Worli side to allow passage of fishermen's boats. Additionally, the alignment on Worli side had to be shifted towards the sea to address the requirements of the fisherfolk. The entire work had to be carried out during the eight months of the fair season since no marine activities were permissible during the four months of the monsoon.
How was the project funding arranged at each stage?
Owing to the difficulties above and the delays entailed, the project cost had to be revised. It is to be borne in mind that the project is funded only partially by Govt. grants. A major part of the funding had been out of borrowings raised by the MSRDC. The revised estimated costs have been sanctioned by the Government.
Who have been the key people at MSRDC driving this project?
The project has been overseen by several officials of the Corporation from time to time. Chairmen of the MSRDC from time to time, the Vice Chairmen and Managing Directors, Joint Managing Directors as well as engineers have made their significant contribution to the bridge project. It would not be out of place to mention that all the Chief Ministers of Maharashra including Ashok Chavan the present Chief Minister have constantly provided an encouragement and support without which the project could not have been completed.
With the Sealink project through, what is the next phase of the proposed West Island Freeway system that will be taken up? What is the overall system as envisaged by MSRDC?
As pointed out above, the next phase of the project between Worli to Haji Ali is already at an advanced stage, with bids on BOT basis received and under process. The further portion between Haji Ali and Nariman Point is also to be taken up in the near future to complete the project of the West Island Freeway as conceived by the transport strategy studies.
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