Haji Ali - Nariman Point link to be a tunnel

While the Bandra-Worli Sea Link will be partially opened to traffic by January next year, its extension from Haji Ali to Nariman Point will now be constructed through a tunnel instead of another bridge across the sea, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said.Deshmukh said a tunnel would ensure the Marine Drive’s beauty is preserved. Simultaneously, a tunnel will ensure the Western Freeway Project (of which the Bandra Worli Sea Link is the first phase) does not create impediments in the way of the government’s other big project in the Arabian Sea off the Queen’s Necklace, the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, set to stand taller than the Statue of Liberty, with an amphitheatre at its base.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is awaiting the consultant’s report on the Haji Ali-Nariman Point arm of the Western Freeway Sea Link project. While the Worli-Haji Ali section is currently in the tendering stage, a joint venture of Arup-CES has been given the job of carrying out a feasibility study to explore alternative alignments for the Haji Ali-Nariman Point stretch. The alternatives included the proposed tunnel and a sea-side road built on reclaimed land. “The report is still to be submitted by the consultants. It would suggest whether a sea link or a road or a tunnel will be best for this section. The report is expected within a week,” Anil Deshmukh, Minister of Public Works said.
On the CM’s announcement regarding the tunnel, the PWD minister added that although the report is awaited, the government believes it would be better to opt for a tunnel from Haji Ali junction to Nariman Point or a tunnel from Haji Ali to Bhulabhai Desai Road and a flyover from there to Nariman Point, since a sea link which would alter the view from the Marine Drive precinct significantly. It is also believed that if a sea link is opted for the section it would jeopardise the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue project.
Meanwhile, in a release on various achievements of the government as it completes four years, the Chief Minister’s office stated that in a bid to make Mumbai a world class city, around Rs 35,000 crore has been spent on various transport and infrastructure projects in the city.