The 5.6 kilometer Bandra Worli Sealink, which crosses the Arabian Sea, linking the Mumbai suburbs with south Mumbai, is viewed as an engineering marvel. This cable-stayed bridge (one that consists of one or more columns, with cables supporting the bridge deck) apparently contains steel wire equivalent to the circumference of the earth. The bridge also weighs the same as 50,000 African elephants, and used 90,000 tonnes of cement -- enough to make five 10 storied buildings.
The Sealink hasn't been without controversy though. Delays, due to public litigation, doubled the amount of time it took to construct it from the estimated five years, to 10 years. The original cost estimate also increased from 6.6 billion rupees ($119.46 million) to 16 billion rupees ($289.6 million). The first four lanes were opened to the public on 30 June 2009. All eight lanes were opened on 24 March 2010.
Where: The Bandra Worli Sealink starts near Bandra Reclamation (at the Western Express Highway) and ends at Abdul Gafar Khan Marg junction, Worli. The Taj Lands End hotel at Bandra Bandstand offers a birds eye view of it. Pedestrians and motorcycles aren't allowed on the Sealink.
More Information: Bandra Worli Sealink website. You can also see photos of how the Sealink was constructed.
