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.

Christmas wishes, celebrations perks up metropolis

Christmas has spread joy and smiles around the city with people from all over Mumbai flocking the local markets shopping for the colorful festival.

People are leaving no stone unturned to make this festival the best of all. Christians from all over Mumbai are conducting special parties for their family and friends for the Christmas Eve. " During our college days we friends used to celebrate Christmas every year. However after that we were unable to meet since everyone is involved in their own lives, climbing up the career ladder. So this year am conducting a special Christmas party for my friends at my place.

I am preparing a range of dishes starting from pasta, the traditional plum cake, chicken and wine to icecreams and pastries. We will also exchange the gifts and enjoy ourselves by singing the Christmas carols," said Andrea Rodriguez, a resident of Mulund. While some are partying with friends some are finding solace in enjoying the festival in private.

" This year we are enjoying Christmas along with our family members. This is the only day of the year when we all come together and enjoy the festival. We have bought a Christmas tree and have decorated it with different decorative articles. Small children have put up colorful socks waiting for Santaclaus to put gifts in it," said Khushi Shah, resident of Dadar.

Cake shops in the city are coming up with unique concepts to woo customers into their shops to buy cakes for the festival. Cakes featuring christmas trees, cartoons, plum cakes, choclate cakes, fruit cakes and even 3D cakes are here in the bakeries for people to make a choice. " We are offering a variety of cakes specially for the festival. The most demanded cakes are rice plum cakes, cream cakes, dundee cakes ( cake made out of almonds), cherry almond cakes, Christmas fruit cakes, etc. we also prepare a special log cake which is made of choclate and is shaped in the form of a log for official parties.

We have also prepared handmade choclates for the kids," said Huned, Caretaker of Monginis cake shop in Andheri.

" This year we have designed special 3- dimensional cakes which are prepared in a 3D manner. Reindeers and Santa made of chocolate and a Christmas tree along with the traditional star at the top of the tree is placed carefully on the cake to give it a touch of 3D. This idea has surely attracted the customers especially the kids who are fascinated with such creativity.

This idea was framed keeping in mind the interest of the kids since they are the charm of the festival. Apart from this we are offering rum cakes, whisk cakes and brandy cakes," said Priti Chopra, Owner, Sweet Passions.

Crawford market has turned out to be the hub of all the required articles for the festival, starting from Christmas trees in all sizes to Santaclaus caps, lighting wires, colorful bulbs, chocolates, bells, sparkles, stars, clothes like santaclaus, masks and a whole lot of different gifts are arranged in the market making it difficult for people to make a choice.

Malls in the city have arranged for special programs for the festival.