7-Minute Hitch

Pay a fine if you cross bandra-worli sea link in less than 7 mins, as it would mean you've crossed the 50-kmph limit
u00a0
It's a 5.6-kilometre stretch of virgin road comparable to a F1 track. As you look up, in seemingly suspended animation is the pyramid of the stunning cable-stayed Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

The overwhelming emotion as you gawk at India's new engineering marvel that opens to public today, is to hit the accelerator.
u00a0
Sadly, you can't.

The Mumbai traffic police have instituted a 50-kmph speed limit. There are speed guns at both ends of the bridge to nab offenders.



And the only loophole there are no speed guns on the stretch has been covered.
u00a0
The cops maintain that it takes exactly seven minutes to cross the 5.6 km stretch at 50 kmph.

So if you reach the other end in under seven minutes, it automatically implies you have crossed the speed limit.
u00a0
Sanjay Barve, Jt CP (Traffic) said, "If motorists reach the other end of the sea link before sevenu00a0 minutes they pay a fine of Rs 200, under Section 112-183 of the Motor Vehicles Act."
u00a0
However, the 50-kmph speed limit is during the monsoons and between October and May it goes up to 80 kmph. At this speed, it takesu00a04.5 minutes to cross the stretch.
u00a0
Eye spy

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has placed cameras on both sides of the bridge, beginning from the toll booths, apart from five other cameras on the stretch.

"The cameras will not only capture the number plate, but also images of the driver, a safeguard in case of hit-and-run accidents," said S Sabnis, chief engineer, MSRDC.
u00a0
As of now, four (two lanes on each side) of the eight lanes have opened to traffic. The other four are expected to open by December. The BWSL is closed to pedestrians, two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
u00a0
The state government has also made provisions for cranes, ambulances and police jeeps near the bridge in case of accidents.

During emergencies, people can walk along a two-foot pathway made for workers who maintain the sea link.

4,500
Number of vehicles expected during peak hours

Rs 1,634 cr
The cost of BWSL
u00a0
72 kmph
The speed limit on the 2.39 km Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco (right)

Rs 76 crore
The total balance amount that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation is yet to pay, according to Hindustan Construction Company.

The cost escalated because of delayed payments to sub-contractors.
A year-and-a-half ago, the balance amount had gone up
to Rs 400 crore.