Nariman Point–Cuffe Parade Bridge receives two bidders

13 Jan 2023 CW Team

Larsen and Toubro and J Kumar Infraprojects submitted proposals for the civil construction of a new bridge between Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) opened technical bids on 4 January.

The new bridge is about 1.6 kilometres long and four lanes wide, connecting Nariman Point and Colaba in south Mumbai.

The bridge is expected to cut the driving distance between the two points in half, to just five minutes.

MMRDA had solicited bids for civil construction in November 2022, with a Rs 3.15 billion budget for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).

After the Bandra-Worli and Sewri-Nhava Sheva bridges, this will be Mumbai's third sea link at the southern tip of the city. The bids have been submitted for technical review, which could take several months. Following that, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to reveal the lowest bidder, who is most likely to be the contractor.

Following the appointment of the contractor, MMRDA intends to complete the civil work within two years.

The 2008 Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS) proposed a Cuffe Parade-Nariman Point bridge to relieve traffic congestion in Mumbai's southern business district.

Although the distance between Colaba and Nariman Point is only a little more than a kilometre, using the city's road network requires about five kilometres, which can take more than 20 minutes during rush hour.

Colaba and Cuffe Parade residents will benefit from easier access to the Coastal Road via Nariman Point.

When combined with existing, ongoing, and planned developments, the proposed sea link will create a ring road around Mumbai. MMRDA appointed LEA International Limited, Canada in a joint venture with LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd. India as a consultant to conduct a Comprehensive Transport Study and Business Plan to improve traffic and transportation facilities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MMR).

The project is hampered by obstacles. Because the link will pass through a high-security zone via naval and coast guard areas, security clearances may be difficult to obtain. Environmental clearance may be challenging to get because some reclamation may be needed.