MSRDC is inviting bids for new toll collector on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, as the one-year contract with the current operator ends in March; toll fee to remain the same
With the present contract for toll collection, operation and maintenance of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) coming to an end in March, motorists will be seeing new faces manning the stretch as the MSRDC has invited bids for a new operator.
New guardians soon: An aerial view of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link which is set to get a different toll collection operator in March. File Pic
Officialspeak
Speaking to MiD DAY Executive Engineer Arun Deodhar said, “We have invited bids for the operation and maintenance of the BWSL, as well as for the toll collection, as the toll collection period of the present operator ends in March.” The new operator will get toll collection rights for a period of one year, and will also have to maintain the sea link. A source from the MSRDC said on condition of anonymity, “There are chances that a new toll operator might be seen collecting toll, as the present toll operator is facing losses as the number of vehicles using the sea link is less compared to what was expected when the stretch was opened to public.”u00a0
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MSRDC has to invite tenders for a period of one year, as the issue of extension of the Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link is yet to be resolved. As per the projections done by the MSRDC prior to inauguration of the sea link, an average of 80,000 vehicles were expected to use the bridge each day. However, after it was inaugurated between 36,000 to 39,000 vehicles use the seal link each day. The average collection is between Rs 15 to Rs 16 lakh per day. Though the contract might change hands, the new toll operator will be charging the same toll fee and there will be no increase. u00a0u00a0
80,000 The number of vehicles expected to use sea link each day when it opened
39,000 The number of vehicles using the sea link on average per day
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