Bandra-Worli Sea Link
This awe inspiring beautifully constructed modern marvel is also called as Rajiv Gandhi sea link. This sea link which was inaugurated on 2009 is located in western suburbs of Mumbai. This 8 lane cable –Stay Bridge across the sea is worth a drive. This bridge is 5.6 km in length, links Bandra and Worli and has reduced the travel time between the two places by about an hour.
This bridge was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and was built by the Hindustan Construction Company.
The first four of the eight lanes of the bridge were inaugurated on 30 June 2009 later all eight lanes were opened on 24 March 2010.
The sunrise & sunset views attract many photo enthusiasts. Unfortunately, stopping on the Worli sea link for photography is banned by Govt of Maharashtra.
The foundation stone was laid by Bal Thackeray in 1999 .The original plan estimated the cost to be about ₹6.6 billion and to be completed in five years.But the project due to numerous public interest litigations was delayed by 5-year resulting in the cost escalating to ₹16 billion.
The length of the bridge is 5, 75 km. Many people just enjoy driving across the bridge gazing at the sea.
You can slowly enjoy the soft breeze of the Arabian Sea.
Churchgate
This above picture depicts Churchgate in late 18th century.
Churchgate is one amongst many gates that used to wall the Mumbai city. This area has the Churchgate station which was constructed in 1930s and is the terminus station on the western line of Mumbai suburban Railway.
The walls were brought down in 1900s .The other heritage sites located near Churchgate station is: Flora Fountain -named after Roman Goddess Flora, the structure was built in 1864 – Bombay High Court and Central Telegraph Office. In the mid-19th century, the city walls were torn down to aid in the expansion program.
Colaba Causeway
This causeway- also known as shahid Bhagat Singh road, is a commercial street linking Colaba and Old Women’s Island.It is the cultural square of mumbai.
The architecture of this area is reminiscent of the old Bombay.Many old styled buildings includes National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Regal Cinema, Prince of Wales Museum and Cusrow Baug.This area is also hub of various art galleries, which makes this area a natural destination for artist community.
This causeway boasts of having a pavement book stall dating back several decades.There are many small shops and footpath outlets selling items which ranges from artifacts to shawls, carpets and minor antiques to slippers of all kind, which tempts tourists, backpackers and local from South Mumbai, throng the area through the year.
There are many restaurants, cafes and roadside eateries that make this causeway popular with tourists such as:
- Indian Mughlai fame Delhi Darbar restaurant
- Piccadilly restaurant
- Cafe Churchill
- Mings Palace
- Kailash Parbat (its branches are spread all across mumbai)
- Gokul. Cafe Mondegar, and many more…
Many attractions in this cause way are historical structures like Church of St John the Evangelist (Afghan Church) in the nearby Navy Nagar and the Sassoon Docks. Today the Sassoon Docks house, one of the largest fish market of Mumbai city. You would enjoy watching the boats lined in the Sassoon docks from a high rise. It is one of the oldest docks in Mumbai and is open to public.
Tourists from all across India visit this place to shop from roadside vendors and small shops which sells many unique and antique pieces. You can buy ready-made garments, electronics, imported products etc.
Café Leopold– where terrorists had struck in 2008 is located here.