If the toll plazas at the entry points of Mumbai and at Bandra Worli Sea Link weren't enough, brace for another one. This time on the proposed Versova-Bandra Sea Link, this is likely to replace Coastal Road project between these two areas of the western suburbs.
The state government through Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning to have a sea link to connect Bandra and Versova instead of the proposed Coastal Road. Having a Coastal Road will have more adverse environment impact as compared to the sea link. Additionally, the residents from western suburbs too are against the Coastal Road project.
Sources in MSRDC, who are privy to Versova-Bandra Sea Link project, shared that the process to update and revise cost is underway. It is likely that the estimated project cost will shoot up from the earlier (in early 2014) Rs 5,975 crore to around Rs 8,000 crore. This is a jump by around Rs 2,000 crore for this 10km-long sea bridge project.
In order to recover the finances incurred for its construction, there are plans to levy toll for using the planned sea link. Therefore, there is a possibility of Mumbaikars being asked to cough out yet another toll.
A final figure on the toll amount is yet to be finalised, but it has been indicated that the toll will be more than what motorists are currently paying at the Bandra Worli Sea Link. At the existing sea bridge, one way toll charge for light vehicle is Rs 60, while a return ticket is for Rs 90.
With Versova-Bandra Sea Link in the nascent stages, it will be ready only in the next decade. Prior to that, there is a possibility of another round of opposition from the environmentalists and residents of western suburbs against the sea bridge project.
A month ago, dna had reported how resident and environmentalist groups agreed that sea link is a better alternative to Coastal Road, but they continue to have reservation for the road project. One of their points of argument is, having more roads will only encourage private car ownership, instead the authorities should focus and utilise the same resources in bettering public transportation systems.
