->SierraTangoCharlie1: Removed {{Cleanup bare URLs}} tag: no bare urls remain in article

2021-10-12T17:57:39Z

Removed {{Cleanup bare URLs}} tag: no bare urls remain in article

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{{short description|Bridge in India}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Versova Bandra Sea Link
| native_name =
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| carries = Motor vehicles
| crosses = [[Arabian Sea]]
| locale = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| starts = [[Versova, Mumbai|Versova]]
| ends = [[Bandra]]
| official_name =
| other_name =
| lanes = 4 in each direction
| owner = [[Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation|MSRDC]]
| maint =
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| preceded =
| followed = [[Bandra–Worli Sea Link]]
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| engineering = [[Dar Al-Handasah]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage set for construction of new sea link in Mumbai |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/stage-set-for-construction-of-new-sea-link-in-mumbai-744629.html |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=22 August 2021 |language=en |date=3 July 2019}}</ref>
| design = [[Cable-stayed bridge|Cable-stayed]] main spans; concrete-steel precast segment [[viaducts]] at either end
| material =
| length = {{Convert|17.17|km|mi}}
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| mainspan = {{Convert|300|m|ft}}
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| builder = [[Reliance Infrastructure]]<br>[[Astaldi]]<ref name="HT1">{{cite web |title=Mumbai's Versova-Bandra sea link expected to be ready by 2023 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-versova-bandra-sea-link-expected-to-be-ready-by-2023/story-ck8eepmH5HrNfPvNU8x44H.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=9 January 2019 |language=en |date=8 May 2018}}</ref>
| fabricator =
| begin = 2019
| complete = 2027
| cost = {{INRConvert|6993.99|c}}<ref name="HT1"/>
| opening = August 2027<ref name="HT2027"/>
| open =
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| traffic = 60,000-70,000 vehicles <small>(2023 estimate)</small><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Rouhan |date=5 September 2018 |title=Bandra-Versova sea-link cost set to rise 60% |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/bandra-versova-sea-link-cost-set-to-rise-60/1302969/ |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=The Financial Express}}</ref>
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The '''Versova–Bandra Sea Link''' (VBSL) is an under construction bridge in [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India. The {{Convert|17.17|km|adj=on}} bridge will connect [[Versova, Mumbai|Versova]], a neighbourhood in the suburb of [[Andheri]] to the [[Bandra–Worli Sea Link]] in Bandra, as part of the [[Coastal Road (Mumbai)|Coastal Road]].<ref name="dealsealed">{{cite news |last1=Tembhekar |first1=Chittaranjan |title=Deal sealed, work on Versova sea link to start next month |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/deal-sealed-work-on-versova-sea-link-to-start-next-month/articleshow/65677435.cms |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Times of India |date=5 September 2018}}</ref> The 8-lane sea link is expected to reduce congestion on the Western Express Highway and the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |last=Tembhekar |first=Chittaranjan |date=16 January 2014 |title=Bandra-Worli sea link may extend to Versova |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-16/mumbai/46262936_1_bandra-worli-sea-link-bandra-versova |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118140544/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-16/mumbai/46262936_1_bandra-worli-sea-link-bandra-versova |archive-date=18 January 2014 |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{Cite web |date=18 January 2014 |title=Versova-Bandra sea link gets nod |url=http://freepressjournal.in/city-roundup-84/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101045453/http://freepressjournal.in/city-roundup-84/ |archive-date=1 November 2014 |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=Free Press Journal}}</ref>

==History==
The Versova–Bandra Sea Link received environmental clearance, under certain conditions, from the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]] (MoEF) in January 2013.<ref name="autogenerated6">{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Ateeq |date=16 January 2014 |title=Eye on polls, Prithviraj Chavan clears two mega projects |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-eye-on-polls-prithviraj-chavan-clears-two-mega-projects-1951726 |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=DNA India}}</ref> A cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure chaired by then Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan cleared the project on 15 January 2014.<ref name="autogenerated4">{{Cite web |date=6 February 2014 |title=After a year’s wait, Bandra-Versova sea link project back on table |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/after-a-years-wait-bandra-versova-sea-link-project-back-on-table/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> Some observers felt that the move was an attempt to keep Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) happy prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, as this project and the Pune Ring Road project which was also approved the sub-committee, would be undertaken by the MSRDC, which was then headed by the NCP.<ref name=autogenerated6 /><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2014 |title=A bridge that widens the gap |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-bridge-that-widens-the-gap-1958231 |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=DNA India}}</ref> The project had been pending for approval from the State Government for the past three years.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite web | title=Bandra-Versova sea link project gets Cabinet nod | website=India News – India TV | date=16 January 2014 | url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/bandra-versova-sea-link-project-gets-cabinet-nod-32533.html | access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> The fate of the sealink had been uncertain after Chavan said that coastal roads were less expensive to build. Chavan stated that he also favoured coastal roads because they had less environmental hurdles than a sealink. BMC officials stated that the government had not clarified the future of the coastal road project, after approving the VBSL.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mumbai: Go-ahead to sea link extension makes coastal road plan hazy | website=DNA India | date=5 February 2014 | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-go-ahead-to-sea-link-extension-makes-coastal-road-plan-hazy-1959479 | access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref>

The MSRDC invited request for qualification (RFQ) from companies interested in constructing the VBSL on 2 March 2014. The agency conducted a pre-bid conference for potential bidders on 28 March. The last date for the submission of technical bids was fixed as 30 May, and the MSRDC planned to open technical bids on 31 May 2014, as per the tender notice. The MSRDC estimated the project concession period to be 35 years in the absence of any viability gap funding (the state's financial contribution in a PPP project). However, after some members of the infrastructure sub-committee expressed reservations about the long concession period, the corporation decided to seek 20% from the Union government, which the MSRDC estimated would reduce the concession period to about 28–30 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 March 2014 |title=MSRDC invites pre-qualification bids for Bandra-Versova sea link |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/msrdc-invites-pre-qualification-bids-for-bandra-versova-sea-link/ |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> The [[Louis Berger Group]] was awarded a {{INRConvert|109|c}} contract to provide project management services for the VBSL project in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Louis |title=Louis Berger awarded Versova-Bandra Sea Link project management contract in India |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/01/10/1286447/0/en/Louis-Berger-awarded-Versova-Bandra-Sea-Link-project-management-contract-in-India.html |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |access-date=10 June 2019 |date=10 January 2018}}</ref>

A joint venture between [[Reliance Infrastructure]] and Italian construction company [[Astaldi]] was awarded an [[engineering, procurement and construction]] contract worth {{INRConvert|6993.99|c}} to build the VBSL in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=R Infra-Astaldi JV bags Rs 7k cr Versova-Bandra sea link project in Mumbai |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/construction/r-infra-astaldi-jv-bags-rs-7k-cr-versova-bandra-sea-link-project-in-mumbai/articleshow/64062314.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=9 January 2019 |date=7 May 2018}}</ref> The agreement was signed between the consortium and the MSRDC on 4 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=RInfra-Astaldi, MSRDC ink pact for Versova-Bandra Sea Link |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/5d0tzm3bnN8Bm9TdH6QoGI/RInfraAstaldi-MSRDC-ink-pact-for-VersovaBandra-Sea-Link.html |website=Mint |access-date=27 April 2019 |language=en |date=4 September 2018}}</ref> The MSRDC also announced that it had appointed the Louis Berger Group to design three connecting roads to link the Versova–Bandra Sea Link with key roads near its entry and exit points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Versova-Bandra Sea Link to be connected with 3 city roads to avoid jams |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/versova-bandra-sea-link-to-be-linked-with-western-express-highway/story-Vp70dfolDInfkK7Sfbc6MM.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 April 2019 |language=en |date=5 September 2018}}</ref> Construction on the project will have to be halted for three months every year during the monsoon season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mahale |first1=Ajeet |title=Pact inked for Versova-Bandra Sea Link |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/pact-inked-for-versova-bandra-sea-link/article24866760.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=27 April 2019 |language=en-IN |date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

On 26 February 2019, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) approved the setting up of a casting yard at Juhu Beach for the project. Activist Zoru Bhathena filed a petition challenging the decision in the Bombay High Court. The High Court cancelled the permission granted by the MCZMA citing a violation of coastal regulation zone guidelines on 26 April. The MSRDC filed a special leave petition appealing the order in the Supreme Court. On 9 May, the two-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's verdict. The MSRDC withdrew its special leave petition,<ref>{{cite web |title=Versova-Bandra sea link: SC says no to casting yard at Juhu beach |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/versova-bandra-sea-link-sc-says-no-to-casting-yard-at-juhu-beach/story-LKO7Hj7QDWPBkXgGlNVpmN.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=14 May 2019 |language=en |date=10 May 2019}}</ref> and stated that it would it file a writ petition seeking permission from the High Court to set up the casting yard. If the petition is denied the agency will have to find alternate land for the casting yard, which would delay the start of construction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Supreme Court rejects casting yard plea |url=https://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/150519/supreme-court-rejects-casting-yard-plea.html |website=The Asian Age |access-date=10 June 2019 |date=15 May 2019}}</ref> The agency filed a review petition with the High Court on 30 August.<ref>{{cite web |title=VBSL casting yard: Government files review petition in Bombay High Court |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/vbsl-casting-yard-government-files-014037684.html |website=in.news.yahoo.com |access-date=15 September 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref> MSRDC officials stated that they were also exploring the possibility of renting land temporarily for use as a casting yard in case the review petition failed. The agency also requested the [[National Environmental Engineering Research Institute]] to conduct an environment assessment report on the proposed casting yard.<ref>{{cite web |title=Versova-Bandra Sea Link: MSRDC in search of land for casting yard |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/versova-bandra-sea-msrdc-search-014001284.html |website=in.news.yahoo.com |access-date=15 September 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

The issue concerning the casting yard was finally resolved in July 2020 when the MSRDC allocated an alternate plot in [[Malad]]. Construction work on the project was impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] which caused delays due to labour shortages and other factors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mumbai: Versova Bandra Sealink work affected amid COVID-19 |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-versova-bandra-sealink-work-affected-amid-covid-19 |website=Free Press Journal |access-date=22 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Only 2.07% of total work on the project had been completed as of 15 August 2021.<ref name="HT2027">{{cite web |title=Six fishing hamlets in Mumbai to bear brunt of Bandra-Versova Sea Link |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/six-fishing-hamlets-in-mumbai-to-bear-brunt-of-bandra-versova-sea-link-101629054441352.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=22 August 2021 |language=en |date=16 August 2021}}</ref>

==Cost==
The cost of the project was originally estimated as {{INRConvert|4045|c}} in 2012. This escalated to {{INRConvert|4340|c}} in 2013, and {{INRConvert|5975|c}} in 2014.<ref name="dnaindia.com">{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Ateeq |date=2014-03-03 |title=Global bids floated for Versova-Bandra Sea Link by MSRDC |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-global-bids-floated-for-versova-bandra-sea-link-by-msrdc-1966295 |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=DNA India}}</ref> The cost at the time of construction was {{INRConvert|6993.99|c}}.

''[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]'' reported in September 2018 that the actual cost of the project would likely escalate to {{INRConvert|11332.81|c}} by the time it is completed in 2023. MSRDC Vice Chairman Radheshyam Mopalwar stated that tolls would be collected on the sea link until 2052. The toll rates are expected to thrice the rates on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link as the Versova Bandra Sea Link is thrice as long.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bandra-Versova sea-link cost set to rise 60% |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/bandra-versova-sea-link-cost-set-to-rise-60/1302969/ |website=The Financial Express |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Mumbai topics}}

{{coord missing|Maharashtra}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Versova-Bandra Sea Link}}
[[Category:Transport in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Bridges in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cable-stayed bridges in India]]
[[Category:Proposed bridges in India]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Maharashtra]]

Versova–Bandra Sea Link - Revision history

->SierraTangoCharlie1: Removed {{Cleanup bare URLs}} tag: no bare urls remain in article