Bandra-Worli sea link promenade may be ready by March 2011

If the officials of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) are to be believed, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link will soon see a world-class promenade. However, sources said that DB Realty, the contractor for the work,  has been facing problems during its construction in the Bandra reclamation area.  

Till about two years back the corporation was maintaining the garden in the reclamation along the approach way to the sea link.

But it decided to outsource this area to a private player who could develop it into a promenade. Through tendering the contract was awarded to DB Realty.   

While the contractor struggled for over a year to take the work ahead, after much deliberation, the corporation decided to go ahead with the project. Subsequently, the work began a few months back; however, according to sources in the corporation, the contractor faced trouble due to poor quality of concrete which was used during the construction.  

A senior MSRDC official confirmed that the contractor had to re-dig the concreted area on more than one occasions.

“However, it should not bother the progress of the project. The contractor will be maintaining the promenade for a period of 15 years. So, he has his own commitment to follow. We have been assured that the entire 1.25km stretch will be ready by March-April next year. We are hopeful that the contractor would meet his deadline,” said the official. Top officials of DB reality were not available for comment despite repeated attempts. 

The promenade promises to add to the beauty of the sea link.

Among other things, an open air theatre, the seven island columns or the Saptdeep Stambh, Bollywood Celebrity Walk and Board Walk, Tower of Destiny or Sheesh Minar and an area for meditation as well as sitouts are parts of the promenade.

The total area to be developed is 1.25km long and 40m wide. The corporation will get a lump sum amount of Rs7.8 crore for the contract. The contractor will also put up 25 plaques across the area as corporate social responsibility (CSR).