India’s Fourth Longest Bridge- The Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link

Mumbai, simply put, is the City of Dreams. What makes this city even more dreamy is the marvellous Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Officially called the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, it is one of the few projects in Mumbai which has seismic arresters. Since the majority of the bridge is above water, any seismic activity in the bay will have little to no impact on the structure of the bridge. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is India’s fourth-longest bridge.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link 

The Bandra Worli Sea Link was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. They chose the Hindustan Construction Company for the completion of this project. The whole project cost around INR '¹16 million. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link connects the Western Suburbs; parts of the city like Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Juhu, Malad, Khar etc to Worli. Some information about the Bandra- Worli Sea Link is given below. 

Type of Bridge	Cable-stayed bridge and viaduct
Length	5.6 km
Width	66 feet
Height	413 feet
Start of Construction	2000
End of Construction	June 30, 2009
Opening Ceremony	March 24, 2010
Architects	Sheshadri Srinivasan
Constructed by	Hindustan Construction Company

Vehicle Restrictions and Toll Prices

It is prohibited to walk or take two-wheelers and three-wheelers on the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link. You can only take cars, heavy-duty vehicles and light commercial vehicles. The toll amount of the vehicles is given below. 

Type of Vehicle	Toll Amount (One side)
Car	'¹ 85
Light Commercial Vehicles	'¹ 130
Heavy vehicles	'¹ 175

History of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link 

This project was first proposed in the early 1990s, and its construction began in 2000. The bridge was officially opened to the public in 2010. The bridge was designed by renowned architect Seshadri Srinivasan and was built by the Hindustan Construction Company with support from the Indian Navy. The bridge consists of eight lanes, four in each direction. It is supported by 16 pylons, each measuring 120 metres in height. The total length of the bridge is 5.6 km, making it the longest cable-stayed bridge in India. It is also the first bridge in India to use pre-stressed concrete technology. The bridge has significantly reduced travel time between Bandra and Worli and has also helped to reduce traffic congestion in the city. It is estimated to have reduced travel time between the two locations by half. The bridge has also become a popular tourist attraction due to its unique design and views of the Arabian Sea. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai and is featured as the first establishing shots of the city in a film or a TV show. 

Also Read: Construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge

The construction of the sea link was divided into five steps. The first step was the construction of the Love Grove junction flyover, followed by the Western Express Highway and S. V. Road in Bandra's cloverleaf interchange at the intersection. The linear road from this interchange leads to the toll. From Worli till the Toll Plaza at the end of Bandra, the central cable-stayed spans with northern and southern viaducts were conducted. The final step was amping up the Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Road. 

Construction of the Bandra Worli Sea Link 

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the city and to improve connectivity between the suburbs. The bridge stretches 8 lanes wide, and is 5.6km long, making it one of the longest bridges in India. It was constructed using a combination of steel and concrete and is suspended by cables over the Arabian Sea. The bridge was opened in 2009, after years of planning and construction, and has since become a major landmark in the city of Mumbai.

Installing seismic arresters became very important for the construction of the Bandra Worli Sea Link since the floor of the ocean was susceptible to tremors as it consists of volcanic tuffs, basalts, and breccias with some intertrappean deposits. 

Things To Do Near the Bandra Worli Sea Link 

Every tourist who visits Mumbai yearns to cross the Sea Link. You can travel through the sea link via a car or taxi. The whole experience is a delight to all your senses. You can visit the Haji Ali Dargah, Siddhivinayak Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Dhobi Ghat, Bandra Fort and more. 

Also Read: Golden Gate Bridge Architecture

From Bridges and Beyond 

The Bandra Worli Sea Link is a marvel of modern engineering, offering a glimpse of the future of transportation in Mumbai. It has significantly reduced the travel time between Bandra and Worli and is a great example of the city's commitment to embracing technology. The sea link has also become a tourist attraction in its own right, with visitors coming from all over the world to take in the stunning views from the bridge. With its beautiful views and efficient commute, the Bandra Worli Sea Link is a shining example of what can be achieved when modern technology and traditional beauty are combined.