The number of motorists using the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is higher on Sundays than on weekdays,according to Mumbai Entry Point Ltd,the agency in charge of collecting the toll on the structure. The current per-day count is in the range of 33,000 to 36,000 units, said Jayant Mhaiskar,managing director of Mumbai Entry Point Ltd (MEPL). But on Sunday,he added,the traffic goes up to 39,000 PCUs. The higher weekend count would imply that the structure is being welcomed more as an option for a Sunday outing than as a fast,alternative diversion for those travelling to work or school. Interrupted by various impediments and completed after nine years,the 5.6-km sea link,which cost Rs 1,634 crore,was meant to bifurcate traffic from the congested Mahim Causeway,not to create a weekend hotspot,transport experts pointed out. If the sea link traffic is more on weekends it is really strange. With such a huge investment it was built to provide faster travel to officer-goes during weekdays and not for weekend drives, said Ashok Datar,transport expert. He added that motorists from SV Road still prefer the Mahim Causeway,though those from the Express Highway have taken to the sea link. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation officials feel the numbers will even out gradually; as of now,curiosity still attracts motorists to the sea link on weekends. Weekdays or weekend,the usage is way short of the anticipated 45000 to 48000 PCUs per day. The MEPL is currently working on introducing various schemes to attract more motorists. We are evaluating an option of working out peak and non-peak hour tariffs for commuters to encourage them (motorists). Also,we have tied up with FM channels and a mobile service provider to promote the sea link, Mhaiskar said. Datar said BEST and the state government should take a decision on the issue of toll for BEST buses in greater public interest.
