By Apurva Bhatt
You could be paying toll for the next 55 years on the iconic Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL). When the link opened in 2009, toll was meant to go on till 2039 (30 years). But lower collections against the projected figure (45,000 vehicles per day against 85,000-1 lakh vehicles) will mean motorists using the bridge may have to pay toll till 2064 (55 years), fear officials closely associated with the structure. “This is something to worry. The government should seriously take note of this and not burden the vehicle owners,” remarks Suresh Bhojwani, a regular on BWSL.
The annual toll collection at BWSL is Rs 70 to 75crore, only half of the Rs 160crore to be paid as interest annually on the debt taken for the Rs 1,600 crore project. Initially, cost was pegged at Rs 600crore but inordinate delays led to a cost spiral. The officials say the burden on citizens could be reduced if the government extended Rs 700crore as grant to the project or pushed for the coastal road, which will include the sea link, to be built soon. "Since BMC is going to build the Rs 9,000 crore coastal road by spending its annual income of Rs 1,700 crore from fungible FSI, it may be a non-toll road. It can help increase the vehicle count and thus limit the possible extension of sea link toll period," said a senior government official.
From the midnight of March 31, Mumbaikars will have to shell out more for using the sea link. The rise, said government officials, was a regular tri-annual hike mandated in the agreement. Vehicles taking the sea link are saving on operating cost and fuel expenses because it helps them avoid an hour-long drive via Mahim causeway through 16 different traffic signals. "Paying toll here is worth it as vehicles are saving money and time and cutting pollution," said the senior official.
The maintenance period by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which built the sea link, is ending on March 24. MSRDC officials said present toll collectors — the Mumbai Entry Point Toll Pvt Ltd — will maintain the link now as per agreement. Officials praised the road surface quality HCC had provided on the sea link, saying they have not had a single pothole in five years.
