MSRDC to float tender for Versova - Bandra sea link in Feb

Though the construction of the Worli Haji- Ali sea link has not yet begun the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation are confident they would be able to announce the tendering process for Versova- Bandra sea link in the next six months. The authorities are confident of starting the work on the proposed link till 2012.

The geological study on the entire route is already underway and the reports would be prepared by June 2011. The factors such as air quality, average rainfall, tidal behavior and traffic scenario would be analyzed in this study. The study is carried out by American consultants, Parsons The terms of reference has already been submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). The reply is expected by March.

Three options are considered to connect these two areas. First is an entire sea link from Bandra to Versova. Another is an entire coastal road built on stilts. The third option is divided into three parts. The first is a sea link from Bandra to Juhu via Khar Danda.

From Juhu a cut and cover tunnel would be built up to the starting point of Versova followed by a coastal road till the end. The option that is finalized by the MoEF would be implemented irrespective of the costs involved.