Bandra Worli Sea Link Bridge of HOPE

Advantage HCC

Right now BWSL, with its exemplary architectural features such as the glorious view of cable strands strung taut like that of a musical instrument and the accurate construction techniques employed is being hailed as a triumph of precision engineering, but DK Sharma, Project Chief Engineer, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is loath to continue playing the celebratory harp. “BWSL is a unique structure in several respects and we are extremely proud of the construction work we have done on the project overcoming several external challenges. It has added to our bridge development experience. But we have to look towards the future – there is a lot more for us to do.”

In the one year since the launch of the bridge for public use, the company has reportedly received several enquiries for bridge construction expertise from across the country and abroad. There is talk of involvement in a project in Scotland, and 5-6 cable-stayed bridges across India. While such a pride of place is a matter of great comfort, is HCC in a position to take on construction of new projects indigenously?

Sharma says, “We have so far relied on overseas agencies for valuable inputs such as construction stage analysis. Now all our engineers are trained. When it comes to expertise in construction methodology I can safely say we have acquired it. I cannot say the same when it comes to sourcing of important components like cables and other equipment to aid construction. Most of these are not available in India and we would have to import them.

“I have to say the BWSL is a very big feather in HCC’s cap. There is a great body of infrastructure construction work that HCC has been previously associated with, but the BWSL gives us a giant leap in terms of leaving a stamp of instant recognition both nationally and internationally. Our experience in a project of this scale inspires us to take on bigger professional challenges.”

Business opportunity

BWSL, which has arrived as a transport solution to the city, now spells great commercial opportunity. With the bridge built on a solid foundation and predicted to last for 100 years – it is designed to withstand a temblor with the potency of seven on the Richter scale – the business end seems very bright for all players concerned with the structure’s maintenance and well being. With the bridge now in place, the challenge would lie in continuously monitoring, preserving, even replacing current product inputs. Manufacturers of wires and cables, expansion joints, bearings, paints, anti corrosion technologies, security cameras, surveillance equipment, barriers, bollards, street lighting, toll systems and a host of other service providers will continue to do profitable business.

Learning curve

Anticipated profit and technological feat aside, the overall handling of the BWSL project, though not a perfect template in view of the long delay and financial problems associated with it, offers valuable lessons.

MTSU’s Madan says, “The project implementers would have derived greatly from the project management and construction experience. A higher level of detailed planning and risk analysis needs to be done before starting a project. Forward and backward linkages are also required to be planned at an early stage.”

Ajay Saxena, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Expert, Asian Development Bank, informs that the PPP model will be evident in the next phase of Mumbai’s sea corridor – the Worli Haji Ali link.

“We expect to see a greater degree of handholding with various responsibilities such as maintenance and rights of toll collection assigned to partners. The BWSL is definitely an encouraging ground for PPPs. It teaches that when you just run out of options for funding the project yourself and come under heavy burden on repayment of loan taken for construction, how a good asset can be used to repay the burden and also to take care of maintenance.”

Bridging the future

BWSL seems to have paved the way for city’s infrastructural development. With other cities stealing a march over the progress agenda, there now appears an urgency in the corridors of political power to rid Mumbai of its transportation ills by fast-tracking projects. The new acquisition has provided both focus and direction for other development plans which have been long confined to the pipeline. Ratan Batliboi’s comment, “The Sea Link is the start of a new discipline for improving the quality of life,” therefore, seems very reassuring.

From the whirly bird high in the sky over Mahim Bay, evidence of that happy determination seems etched in solid steel in the sea waters below.

Ergo, there is always hope for the future at the end of a bridge and a prayer.

Shrikant Rao

Freelance Editor, Writer and Media Consultant