Mumbai | Worli-Haji Ali Sealink

[hshah]

Originally Posted by Indiadreams

Actually, the sealink is not a cure to all the woes (BWSL's traffic volume is significantly low given the cost and thsi is not a mass transporation project to incur huge losses). The traffic on the western side is not at all painful. In fact, except for Peddar Road, the whole stretch is pretty-congetsion free by Indian Standards. The congestion at Peddar Road is more due to narrow road width and the flow from the roads leading to it and not because of the volume of traffic in itself. If that problem is solved by means of flyover or tunnel, the western side traffic will not be a big issue, as it is not growing anymore.

Let them bring on the metro asap to arrest the traffic volume in other roads on western side (read north of Haji Ali) . The need of the hour is Lines 2 and 3 of Metro.

If and when coastal road is possible, they can try that as the costs may be justified.

Totally disagree that the western side is congestion free (I know u mentioned Indian standards). If you are north bound on the western express highway in the evening, you will realize it pretty much doesnt deserve to be called a highway. A freeway is absolutely necessary. I strongly support mass transport, but both have to be developed simultaneously.

BWSL by itself was never going to serve the purpose. As long as an alternative to peddar road is not created, BWSL and even the WHSL if it was ever built, would have remained irrelevant. So BWSL should not be looked at in isolation.

As far as the debate between the link and the coastal road is concerned, I think it does not make too much of a difference. The only problem with the coastal road is that it will take ages to get all necessary clearances.

[Indiadreams]

Originally Posted by hshah

Totally disagree that the western side is congestion free (I know u mentioned Indian standards). If you are north bound on the western express highway in the evening, you will realize it pretty much doesnt deserve to be called a highway. A freeway is absolutely necessary. I strongly support mass transport, but both have to be developed simultaneously.

BWSL by itself was never going to serve the purpose. As long as an alternative to peddar road is not created, BWSL and even the WHSL if it was ever built, would have remained irrelevant. So BWSL should not be looked at in isolation.

As far as the debate between the link and the coastal road is concerned, I think it does not make too much of a difference. The only problem with the coastal road is that it will take ages to get all necessary clearances.

I never meant suburbs. That is a different story altogether. The volume of traffic in western suburbs, especially WEH may be easily one of the highest in the country.

The sea links between Bandra and Versova / Malad may be commercially feasible (The icing on the cake is traffic volume from entertainment industry), but will not end the woes unless the last mile connectivity is achieved. I mean conencting to BKC and residential areas of western burbs. Unlike island city, there is no proper coastal roads in the suburbs except for Juhu Tara road to give proper entry/exits. The entry/exit ramps will face strong opposition from eco-gangs similar to the coastal roads, as there are beaches, mongroves and fishing villages. Moreover, the Bandra exit will be a pain , unless it takes it dorectly to BKC through an underpass.

I would suggest higher priority to an underground Line 2 even if it means a huge VGF (or rather go for DMRC model similar to Line 3) and take out 14-17 lakh commuters out of roads and crowded local trains. The car users will get repsite automatically. Improving road quality would also improve traffic immensely, A case in point is JVPD circle.

[devendra1]

Originally Posted by bhargavsura

What view you guys talking man? We have skyscrapers coming up. We don't complain that its blocking the sea view. Yeah, you can get a better view of both the city and the sea while you are on the sea link. Is Mumbai the only city in the world to have the sea link? No. Is Mumbai the only city in the world to have a bridge that's going to block the view? No.

Sealink will block sea views from Worli seaface, bandstand, joggers park
and even Juhu beach. There should be some open spaces. Instead there should be broad costal/UG roads along this alignment so that atleast the existing open spaces are not blocked. Sealink will permanently ruin the sea view from these open spaces. However they need to build the coastal road fast.

[bhargavsura]

Originally Posted by devendra1

Sealink will block sea views from Worli seaface, bandstand, joggers park
and even Juhu beach. There should be some open spaces. Instead there should be broad costal/UG roads along this alignment so that atleast the existing open spaces are not blocked. Sealink will permanently ruin the sea view from these open spaces. However they need to build the coastal road fast.

Hmm. I think since it's not going to happen anymore, you don't have to worry about it. But I guess I won't be sad if the view of the sun setting/rising at the sea's horizon is blocked by a mere bridge. I am assuming, by open spaces, you are referring to the open view not "blocked" by the bridge.

Sadly, this is our dirty bureaucratic system. Coastal road or bridge, now its hard to place a bet whether the former will even see the light of the day.

[devendra1]

one of the 2 will happen, if not now then later because eastern freeway is almost complete, but western one is pending.

[hshah]

With indications that work on the proposed Worli- Haji Ali Sea Link (WHSL) may have hit a roadblock, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) may choose alternate means to get the project off the ground. These options include floating tenders to grant upfront toll collection rights for the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) and using that money to extend the sea link from Worli to Haji Ali on cash contract basis by jettisoning the project in its present form.

Sources said a formal decision in this regard is expected after the report of the mediator, Justice (Retired) BP Singh, is tabled before the MSRDC’s board soon.

The Rs4,550crore project sought to extend the sea link from Worli to Haji Ali as part of the Western Freeway project to ease traffic flow to South Mumbai from the suburbs. The Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) and Hyundai consortium was selected to execute the project in February 2009 and the work order was awarded the next year. The project envisaged construction of a 3.4km main bridge with 2.6km-long connectors. The BWSL toll collection was also to be handled by RInfra for the next 40 years.

But, differences cropped up over issues like the grant of Rs1,392 crore viability gap funding (VGF), inking the state support agreement, vacating the mortgage on the BWSL and non- availability of the casting yard (used for the BWSL earlier) at the Bandra end. When RInfra failed to start work on the project in the stipulated time, MSRDC eventually slapped penalties on it, which in turn was contested by RInfra, and a mediator appointed.

A senior MSRDC official said that they could call for tenders for granting the toll rights of the BWSL and use that money for building the new sea link on a cash-contract basis. The MSRDC could also call for tenders for conducting work on the WHSL project again through the build operate transfer (BOT) route.

“However, the same issues may crop up once more in case we try the BOT route,” he pointed out. “The way forward will be decided in the board meeting,” the official said.

Another MSRDC source said it would be prudent for both sides to work towards an “honourable exit” to call off the project, which had turned out to be a non-starter and begin the process afresh. While the state was mulling over the coastal road option, it was still at the nascent stage and hence, the construction of the sea link was more viable in the present circumstances, the source added.

When contacted, minister for public works (public undertakings) Jaydutt Kshirsagar refused to comment on the matter unless the MSRDC board took a decision in this regard. He, however, indicated that a few options were being considered for getting the project off the ground. “The contract is in existence and so, unless there is no decision… it will not be correct to say anything on it,” said Kshirsagar.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/repor...ji-ali_1692004

[hshah]

Another infrastructure project in Mumbai may bite the dust on Friday even before it managed to take off. Exactly two years after it signed a contract with Reliance Infrastructure to build the Worli-Haji Ali sea link, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation on Friday is likely to initiate proceedings to scrap its contract with the company.

The MSRDC is now keen on building the sea link on its own and will seek the approval of the board, meeting on Friday.

However, there are serious questions on whether the agency or the state government can raise the Rs2,400 crore required for the project.

“We will initiate the securitisation process of the sea link by which we will raise money to build the sea link. We will discuss the issue at our board meeting,” MSRDC vice chairman and managing director Bipin Shrimali said.

The MSRDC is now planning to build the sea link through the engineering procurement construction model, where it will ask the contractor to design and execute the project on a cash contract. MSRDC will be funding the project through its own resources.

The MSRDC hopes to raise funds by securitising the Bandra Worli sea link and the Worli-Haji Ali sea link.

By securitisation, the MSRDC hopes to get a substantial amount in from a private company, which will then be given the rights to charge toll on the two links for a certain period.

The MSRDC in 2009 had raised Rs2,100 crore by allowing a private company to charge toll on Mumbai’s roads for a period of 16 years.

The MSRDC also plans to build only four lanes initially and then complete the construction of the remaining four lanes after a period of time.

The Worli-Haji Ali sea link has been stalled for nearly two years due to differences between MSRDC and Reliance Infra.

The parties, who had signed a concession agreement for building the bridge in June 2010 have been accusing each other of reneging on the terms of the contract.

A mediator — retired high court judge BP Singh — was appointed to sort out the issues. The mediator had asked the MSRDC to comply with the terms of the contract, which the agency seems to be not in a position to follow.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-...e1-872615.aspx

[bhargavsura]

Sorry state of bureaucracy.

[devendra1]

I do not see any point in scrapping the contract unless they go for coastal road.
If they wanted sealink WTF they were doing for 2 years.

[rsrikanth05]

I just wish they make up their minds fast.

[kingfisher09]

To build or not to build.

[dunefreezer]

Worli-Haji Ali sea link project to be revived

Despite work on the proposed Worli-Haji Ali sea link hitting rough waters, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC) intends to go ahead with the project.

The Rs4,550-crore project to extend the sea link from Worli to Haji Ali has been stuck due to differences between Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) and Hyundai consortium, who were selected to execute it, and the MSRDC. The project envisaged the construction of a 3.4km main bridge with 2.6km-long connectors. Toll collection at the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) was also planned to be handled by RInfra for 40 years.

However, differences cropped up and when RInfra failed to start work on the project in the stipulated time, the MSRDC slapped penalties on it, which in turn was contested by RInfra, and a mediator appointed.

A MSRDC source said that the report of the mediator — justice (retired) BP Singh had been submitted. “However, we have not taken a final decision so far. There are some aspects which we feel are incomplete. Once they are completed, we will bring the matter before the (MSRDC) board,” he said.

The source added that chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had asked the MSRDC to take a decision in this regard. “Our sea link proposal stays,” he said, pointing out that the project had been approved by the state government.

MSRDC officials said they could scrap the existing model, call for tenders to grant upfront toll collection rights for BWSL and use that money to construct the new sea link on a cash contract basis instead of the build-operate-transfer basis.

[bhargavsura]

Who's tired? Newspaper editors, jokers in MSRDC, us at SSC-Is or common folks reading reversal news every day?

[dunefreezer]

lol...I just realised similar news were posted before....I was wondering if I read it before but since it was published recently, thought I should post it....Next time, screw it...

EDIT: I couldn't resist posting it here...cuz of my rage......These people can't stand by one decision, they have to jump here and there like a little kid trying to choose a candy.

It's final: Sea link extension junked, coastal road likely

[Engineer@work]

http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...worli-haji-ali

The dream of making another sea link from engineer's point of view seems to have gone or going. I have only MSRDC & State Govt to Blame. Congress wants Coastal Roads but NCP wants Sea Links. In this Fight the real purpose & objective of building a Sealink from Bandra to Nariman Point is Lost. Now we will be left with a incomplete Sea Link Corridor which was supposed to take traffic & pollution away from the city.

I don't even see the Coastal Road been built. It’s easy to say reclaim land & build a road. Considering Various Fishing Villages and the Environmental Impact these fillings will have, I am sure some NGO will put a Stay Order on such reclamation.

Also important point to note is Govt or MSRDC does not have money to fund these projects. Central Govt will not easily release funds unless it sees all approvals and considering current state of UPA2 I am not so sure anything will happen till 2014 elections.

[anujkb]

coastal road in Metro Manila....cross posting from their thread...

Originally Posted by jpdm

http://business.inquirer.net/files/2...astal-road.jpg
A backhoe piles up boulders for a seawall for the seven-kilometer alternative coastal highway connecting Metro Manila and Cavite. The Coastal Road Corp., which is the parent firm of Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., the operator and builder of the toll highway, announced on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, that it had sold 30 percent of its stock to Thornhedge Equity Investments, an investment company representing a group of New York-based private equity investors. AFP PHOTO/JAY DIRECTO




http://business.inquirer.net/54219/p...stal-road-firm

[anujkb]

Originally Posted by Engineer@work

http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...worli-haji-ali

The dream of making another sea link from engineer's point of view seems to have gone or going. I have only MSRDC & State Govt to Blame. Congress wants Coastal Roads but NCP wants Sea Links. In this Fight the real purpose & objective of building a Sealink from Bandra to Nariman Point is Lost. Now we will be left with a incomplete Sea Link Corridor which was supposed to take traffic & pollution away from the city.

I don't even see the Coastal Road been built. It’s easy to say reclaim land & build a road. Considering Various Fishing Villages and the Environmental Impact these fillings will have, I am sure some NGO will put a Stay Order on such reclamation.

Also important point to note is Govt or MSRDC does not have money to fund these projects. Central Govt will not easily release funds unless it sees all approvals and considering current state of UPA2 I am not so sure anything will happen till 2014 elections.

tell me any infra proj that is COMPLETE in mumbai.

[rsrikanth05]

errr..... MPE.
Because it was a BJP project.

[hifzur123]

They must build WHSL, because from this sealink we can enjoy best skyline of Mumbai.

[shree711]

This project will become like the Ryugyong Hotel. Half done.