Mumbai: Iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Undergo Comprehensive Underwater Evaluation for First Time in 16 Years.
Mumbai: Iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Undergo Comprehensive Underwater Evaluation for First Time in 16 Years.
After being in operation for sixteen years, the iconic 4.7-km Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) is set to undergo a thorough assessment of its condition using submersible remotely operated vehicles. These vehicles will be deployed over the next four months to transmit high-definition videos of the submerged portions of the bridge, which will aid in identifying defects and cracks, allowing for timely repairs, according to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the entity responsible for the bridge’s ownership and maintenance.
“This is the first time that submersible remotely operated vehicles will be used for inspecting the Bandra Worli Sea Link,” an MSRDC official stated. In the past, scuba divers were used to remove marine growth and inspect the bridge, and they are expected to be deployed again this time to clear any marine growth from the structure before the inspection.
Construction of the sea link began in 2000, nine years before it was officially opened in June 2009. It features 179 foundation piers, each supported by multiple piles based on the thickness and placement of the pier. The upcoming scrutiny will include inspections of the underwater piers and piles, non-destructive testing, scour surveys, and underwater ultrasonic thickness measurements for steel, as noted by officials.
Non-destructive testing evaluates the characteristics of construction materials, while underwater visual inspections help detect flaws, cracks, and voids. Scour surveys monitor offshore structures to avert potential disasters; for the sea link, this means clearing away sediments like gravel or sand from the foundation pillars’ base.
“The remotely operated vehicles will send high-definition live footage of the bridge’s submerged areas. If any issues are found, they will be geo-tagged,” the official stated.
This inspection will determine if repairs or replacement of substructure sections are necessary or urgent, the official added, mentioning that “after the survey, appropriate rehabilitation and repair work will be carried out.”
