Bids invited for construction of three iconic bridges on Mumbai Metro 2B Line

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on 6 June 2020 floated tender for the construction of three iconic bridges (Sky, Swords and Zero) for Line-2B (DN Nagar to Mandale) of Mumbai Metro Rail project.

Scope of work

Part Design and Construction of Iconic Bridges at BKC Entry, Vakola Nalla Crossing and Mithi River Crossing for Metro Line 2B (DN Nagar to Mandale).

Key Information

• NIT No.: MMRDA/MMRP/ICONIC/L2B-106
• Issue Date: 6th June 2020
• Estimated Cost of Work: Rs 181.04 Crore
• Security Money: Rs 1,00,000/-
• Tender Document Fee: Rs 5,900/-
• Sale of Tender Documents: 11.06.2020 to 27.07.2020
• Last date of Submission of Bids: 28.07.2020 up to 1700 hours

Pre-bid Meeting and Contact Point

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 2nd July 2020 at 1500 hrs. through video conferencing. However, the bidders can contact to the following officer for further clarification. Miss. Minakshi Panaskar, Executive Engineer (Metro-PIU), MMRDA Telphone: 022-26597614 E-mail ID: minakshi.panaskar@mailmmrda.maharashtra.gov.in

 About Iconic Bridges

The design of these three iconic bridges was made by Mumbai based architect firm Designfakt India Private Limited and the same was unveiled by then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in July 2019. According to the MMRDA plan, Vakola Nalla bridge (80m and towards Kurla) will have a digital zero element, as a dedication to the Indian invention by mathematician Aryabhata. The bridge near Kalanagar will have two swords inspired by the Bhawani sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This bridge, at the entry of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), will be 73m in length. For the Mithi River bridge, which will be 120m, the authority is looking at a semi-circular structure representing the sky. Earlier, the authority was also mulling representing the five elements of nature.

Sky Bridge (120m)

The concept of this bridge, the ‘Arch’, simplistic yet dynamic in its form, derives its inspiration from ‘Akash’, meaning―the sky. It is located on Mithi River, Mumbai. The bridge is an elegant, sophisticated expression that, much like its name, reaches for the sky as it draws one’s gaze along its curve. The large-span arch form embraces a soft compression towards its centre, in turn resolving forces into compressive stresses and eliminating the tensile stresses. This bridge is also designed for the MMRDA.

Sward Bridge (73m)

‘Swords’ bridge holds a special significance in the context of the state of Maharashtra. It is a dedication to the pride of Maharashtra, and the undying legacy of the warrior-king ‘Shivaji’ in Indian history. Legend has it, that the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was gifted his sword, the ‘Bhawani talwar’ by goddess Bhawani herself. The divine sword embodies the essence of this bridge. Commissioned by the MMRDA, this iconic bridge is located in Kala Nagar, Mumbai. 

Zero Bridge (80m)

The iconic bridge is proposed at Vakola Nala, Mumbai, for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The concept of this bridge, ‘Shunya’, is derived from the historic and most remarkable invention of India, in the 5th century: ‘Zero’, translated to Hindi as ‘Shunya’. The bridge is designed as an ode to the immense significance of ‘zero’ in the technological world. In an important and globalized city like Mumbai, the structure stands to contribute to reflecting India’s identity.

It is pertinent to mention here that this is a revised tender. The first tender, which was invited in September 2019, has been canceled by MMRDA as the lowest bidder HCC– J Kumar Infraprojects JV had quoted a much higher amount of Rs 231.55 crore than the MMRDA’s estimate of Rs 181.04 crore. Deep Dey, director (projects), Designfakt India Pvt Ltd, an architect who designed these bridges, said:

There is no structure dedicated to zero, although it is our biggest invention. Plus, Mumbai is also the financial capital of India. We designed it as a digital zero to give it a modern feel. We wanted a dedication to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but we did not want any sculptures. The two swords are placed in such a way that people will get different views from different angles.