Louis Berger bags Versova-Bandra Sea Link project management contract

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has recently awarded Louis Berger a Rs109 crore contract to provide project management services for the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL). The construction is estimated to cost Rs 6,000 crore and is expected to take 54 months to complete. The VBSL, a northward extension of the existing Bandra-Worli Sea Link running along the western coast of the island of Mumbai, will be an eight-lane highway, approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) in length, connecting the western suburbs of Versova and Bandra. The main sea link will include a cable-stayed bridge section and a balanced-cantilever section for navigational purposes. It will also include two intermediate connectors, which will connect the sea link to the mainland and serve areas between Versova and Bandra, including Juhu and Koliwada. The sea link will help reduce traffic congestion in Mumbai. Louis Berger will provide services in three phases. The first phase will include the peer review of the previously-compiled techno-economic feasibility study and detailed project report (DPR), while the second phase will include compilation of tender documents for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the project, as well as management of the bid process. The third and last phase will involve project and construction management services during the construction and defects liability periods, including review of the selected EPC contractor’s engineering designs. The project is slated for completion by late 2021. “We are honored to play a major role in one of the largest infrastructure projects — not just in Mumbai, but in India,” says Kshitish Nadgauda, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Louis Berger for Asia. He further adds, “Our responsibilities on this significant project will require efficient delivery of top-quality, highly responsive services, and our intent is to exceed the MSRDC’s expectations in every respect.”