Its finally happened! They finally finished the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai! I haven’t been on it yet, apparently its super packed since they aren’t charging toll for a week. Also as a friend of mine right said, “ha ha ha…. first day first show…..always a house full!” But I can’t wait for my 7 minute speed run across, this is totally going to revolutionize my social life. For now take a peak at various pictures of the bridge I found on the internet (mostly courtesy Sadanand Warty on flickr.)
Of course they used A.R. Rehman’s “Jai Ho” during the 7 minute sound & light show on Monday June 29th. Ok, so I love the song, think Rehman is a total rockstar and will willingly bounce to the Pussycat Dolls version too but come on, do we have to use it for everything we do now? I’m thinking overkill guys.
Didjya Know?
The Bandra Worli Sea Link (Marathi: वांद्रे-वरळी सागरी महामार्ग), officially known as Rajiv Gandhi Setu is an 8-lane, cable-stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete viaduct approaches, which will link Bandra and the western suburbs of Mumbai with Worli and central Mumbai, and is the first phase of the proposed West Island Freeway system.
An engineering marvel and the first ever open Sea Bridge of its kind, the Bandra Worli Sea Link is one of the most complex and advanced construction projects in India.
The bridge was inaugurated on 30 June 2009 by Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. India.
The project was initiated more than 10 years ago but it was delayed due to public interest litigation. The foundation stone was laid in 1999, by Shiv Sena head Balasaheb Thackeray.
The toll for using the bridge is currently expected to be around Rs 50 ($1) each way trip.
Project Cost of Rs.1650 Crores i.e. Rs.16.50 Billion INR (about 330 Million US Dollar)
Rs. 9 Crore alone will be just the cost of illuminating the bridge.
Made with about 38000 KM Long Steel Ropes, 575000 tonnes of Concrete & 6000 Workers.
Will save about 1 Hour of Travel Time & 100 crores of Vehicle Operating Cost for a 7 KM distance.
An estimate of about 125000 Vehicles will be using daily.
Mumbai gets a new landmark!