BANDRA WORLI SEA LINK

Also called the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, the Bandra Worli Sea Link is a famous eight lane cable stayed bridge adorning the arc of Mumbai’s coastline. It is one of the first projects that is an achievement of the Maharashtra Government which initiated the West Island Freeway System.

The bridge is hailed to be among the few pieces of architectural design that is built on cables with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts that hold it in place. The bridge can cater around 37,500 vehicles per day and has drastically reduced the time of travelling between Bandra and Worli by a big margin. It is said to be one of the most breathtaking pieces of architecture that is constructed by the authorities in Mumbai.

The beautiful architectural innovation complements the landscape of blue waters by the Mahim Bay in the city of Mumbai. It has become a tourist attraction because of the wonderful views it offers. Bandra Worli Sea Link is hailed as a perfect combination of natural beauty and a man-made marvel.

While driving through the bridge, it’s just a delight to zip past the stunning scenery and feel the mesmerising sea breeze through the air. The place is also a wonderful getaway for photographers who can always look forward to capture some stunning images in their cameras when they are here.

Especially during the night, it’s a photographer’s paradise as there are lights that enhance the beauty of the bridge. It is considered to be one of the most happening places in Mumbai where you can enjoy a long drive and appreciate the scintillating skyline of Mumbai.

The popular bridge is also known to have made a cinematic appearance when it was shown in the famous Bollywood movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. It is a must visit in Mumbai for those who appreciate modern architecture and wish explore some offbeat places in the city. 

History:

The foundation stone of Bandra Worli Sea Link was laid down in the year 1999 by the Marathi politician Bal Thackeray. The bridge was built to find a solution to the problem of traffic congestion that occurred during peak hours in the north-southwestern corridor of Mumbai.

Because before the Bandra Worli Sea Link was constructed, there was only one road that connected the western suburbs to Mumbai’s central business district was the Mahim Causeway. Thus, the Bandra Worli Sea Link to provide another route that could be used as an alternative to the Mahim Causeway in Mumbai. 

The budgeted expenditure of the project was INR 6.6 billion. Even though the project was mulled to be completed in 5 years, it got to its final stage only in the year 2009-10. The delay was caused due to a number of public interest litigations which also led to an increase in the cost of the bridge to INR 16 billion.

Architecture of Bandra Worli Sea Link:

One of the famous examples of modern architecture in India, Bandra Worli Sea Link was constructed by the Hindustan Construction Company and opened to the public in June 2009. It is known to be the first cable stayed bridge which is constructed over the open Indian seas. This marvel of architecture was constructed with the help of consolidated efforts of engineers from different countries like Egypt, China, Canada, Switzerland, Britain, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Serbia. 

Some of the interesting facts about Bandra Worli Sea Link is that it is made of pre-stressed concrete steel viaducts and the largest pylon which is used here measures a height of 128 metres that reduce gradually in its height. It’s also the first project in Mumbai which is built using seismic arresters that makes it capable of resisting earthquakes measuring upto 7.0 on the Richter Scale.

One of the best features of Bandra Worli Sea Link is that it helped in reducing the travel time to just 7-10 minutes which took about 45 minutes to an hour before. The bridge is also proposed to link the parts of western Mumbai with Nariman Point to make it easy for the citizens to visit the main business centre. 

How To Reach

One can reach Bandra Worli Sea Link from either side of the bridge. The nearest bus stand to Bandra Worli Sea Link is located 2 km away and the nearest railway station is the Bandra Railway station. The railway station is 5 km far from Bandra Worli Sea Link. Otherwise, the most viable ways to reach Bandra Worli Sea Link is through a taxi or auto rickshaw which are easily available. 

Best Time To Visit

One of the best times to visit the famous Bandra Worli Sea Link is during the time of rainy season. This is when the atmosphere to visit here is quite great and offers a nice weather for the tourists to enjoy a long ride. Otherwise, the best time to visit during the time of the day and appreciate the wonder of this exquisite piece of modern architecture by enjoying a smooth ride on the link and treating the eyes with a stunning view of the sea below

Other Essential Information

-Location: Bandra Worli Sea Link is located at Mahim Bay in Mumbai, Maharashtra. 

- Timings: There are no timings to visit as the bridge is open 24 hours. 

- Price: One way toll for cars is Rs 70) and for the return journey, the toll will be Rs 105 followed by Rs 175 for the daily pass.

Tips For Visiting Bandra Worli Sea Link:

-Maintain the speed limits which the authorities have set for individual vehicles and follow other rules while driving on Bandra Worli Sea Link 
-If you are a fan of photography, one of the best times to visit Bandra Worli Sea Link is at the time of night when the bridge is lit up and it showcases the wonderful engineering of the project.