HCC pegs Bandra sea-link project cost at Rs 694 crore

Cost excludes the additional 1.6 km portion of the thoroughfare included by MSRDC

Hindustan Construction Company Ltd (HCC) has pegged the construction cost of the amended Bandra-Worli sea-link project at Rs 694 crore.

This does not include the additional 1.6 km portion of the thoroughfare included in the project design by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

In addition, HCC is seeking Rs 66 crore for the fixed costs it has incurred owing to the delayed implementation of the project "" on site and maintenance costs and financial expenses incurred on bank guarantees while the project was on hold for three years.

A company spokesperson said: "The original scope of the project (pegged at Rs 400 crore) was an eight-lane (3.7 km) sea-link. This was subsequently changed to an eight-lane sea-link up to Worli and an additional 1.6 km tract on the proposed thoroughfare on the sea portion with changes in the foundation and a 660 metre link from land. This design under went further changes by MSRDC which proposed a four-lane sea-link."

The spokesperson added: "Now MSRDC has again amended the project design to encompass an eight-lane sea-link that would stretch from Bandra to Khan Abdul Gaffar Road with a cable-stayed bridge at Worli, changes in the foundation along with the Bandra cable-stayed bridge and the link bridge from land to sea. This excludes the 1.6 km additional track earlier sought to be incorporated and we have pegged the cost of all this at Rs 694 crore."

The HCC official said the company had invested Rs 313 crore in the project, including purchasing equipment for Rs 100 crore. The company has received Rs 24 crore from MSRDC.

The sea-link project, tenders for which were invited by MSRDC in September 1999, has been plagued by delays and cost overruns with the tenders being opened 11 months after they were submitted by potential bidders.

The project was seen as a technological marvel, prompting even former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to compliment it as a futuristic landmark for Mumbai.