Bandra worli sea link - Sea route may lighten road load
Despite the fact that over two lakh Mumbaikars living in the Western suburbs are open to the idea of using hovercrafts or catamarans to commute to Nariman Point, the MSRDC has done little to speed up the process. In fact, a number of officials with the MSRDC, who did not wish to be named, have said that the Rs 1,500 crore Passenger Water Transport (PWT) project between Borivli and Nariman Point has been deliberately delayed .
These same sources say that authorities have been dragging their feet over putting out PWT tenders so that Mumbaikars would be convinced of the need for a flyover at Pedder Road as well as the next phase of the sea link.
According to estimates, a PWT on the western waterfront can reduce the burden on our roads by over 50,000 vehicles a day. The Lee Associates in its recent comprehensive transportation survey revealed that over two lakh Mumbaikars were ready to travel daily by catamarans and hovercrafts. The PWT is the most viable alternate mode of transport for the city. Mumbaikars must question authorities for the delay as the project is being re-tendered for the third time.
People would have been willing to pay Rs 75-100 for a ticket. Had MSRDC gone ahead with the PWT, there would not have been a need for the Pedder Road Flyover.
However, the state government scrapped entire tendering process following legal issues and decided to start afresh. Meanwhile, the technical and financial feasibility study for the Pedder Road Flyover has allegedly been conducted. Both, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have also assured the MSRDC that clearances for the bridge will be given.
There is also talk of the MSRDC drawing up an alternative plan for a bridge over Tardeo and Nana Chowks instead of the proposed flyovers straight route via Cadbury Chowk and Kemps Corner .
PASSENGER WATER TRANSPORT
Point to point: From Borivli to Nariman Point and back
Mode of transport: Catamarans and hovercrafts
Cost of project: Rs1,600 cr
The idea of having a coastal water transport system was first introduced in the 1960s. In the early 90s a hovercraft service from Gateway to Navi Mumbai ran for over a year.
In January 2002, the state government gave the MSRDC the responsibility of setting up a water transport facility on the Western and Eastern coasts of the city
On April 4, 2005, the MSRDC finalized the details of the project
The next year, it floated tenders and gave the contract to Satyagiri Shipping Corp. Later MSRDC cancelled the deal stating that there were some problems with the contract and chose to issue fresh tenders for the project
The new date for submission of bids is September 30, 2009.
More photos, information on Bandra Worli sea link - click here
