The final link between the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL), a ?bow-string? arch bridge, is scheduled for partial opening by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) later this month. Bhushan Gagrani, Mumbai?s municipal commissioner and state-appointed administrator confirmed.
Once operational, the new bridge will allow vehicles to travel directly between Nariman Point and Bandra via the sea link. Currently, the coastal road extends only to Worli. A civic official noted, "One of the two arms of the arch bridge is nearly ready for vehicular use, and we expect it to open around or after September 10. We are now finishing ancillary tasks such as painting signage and illuminating the bridge."
Following the bridge?s opening, north-bound vehicles from Nariman Point will be able to enter the Sea Link directly and exit at Bandra. South-bound vehicles will continue to use the existing entry points at Worli. ?North-bound traffic can now access the Sea Link without exiting at the Worli interchange. The south-bound access remains unchanged at Worli and Haji Ali,? the official added.
The opening, initially planned for late July, was delayed due to heavy rainfall and high tidal waves, which impacted construction. However, with recent drier conditions, the civil work has accelerated. The arch bridges, each weighing approximately 4,000 metric tonnes and measuring around 140 meters in length, are expected to enhance connectivity significantly. Currently, the coastal road operates from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays. (The Indian Express)
