Quick answer: The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, officially the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, is a 5.6 km, eight-lane cable-stayed bridge across Mahim Bay that connects Bandra in Mumbai’s western suburbs with Worli. It is open to cars and other four-wheelers 24 hours a day, but two- and three-wheelers, cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed. There is no entry fee, but every vehicle pays a toll at the Bandra end; the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) last revised the rates in April 2024, so check its current toll chart.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Official name | Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link |
| Connects | Bandra (western suburbs) and Worli (central Mumbai), across Mahim Bay |
| Length | 5.6 km, eight lanes (four each way) |
| Opened | First four lanes 30 June 2009; all eight lanes 24 March 2010 |
| Who can use it | Cars, buses and other four-wheelers. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed. |
| Timings | Open round the clock |
| Toll | Charged at the Bandra end; FASTag accepted. Check MSRDC for current rates. |
| Operator | Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) |
Why the sea link was built
Before the sea link, traffic between the western suburbs and South Mumbai had to squeeze through the Mahim Causeway, which became badly congested at peak hours. The Government of Maharashtra planned a Western Freeway along the coast to bypass this bottleneck, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link was its first stage.
The foundation stone was laid in 1999 and construction began around 2000. The project was originally estimated at about ₹660 crore and was meant to take five years. Public interest litigation and other delays pushed the final cost to about ₹1,600 crore, a large part of it interest. Sonia Gandhi opened the first four lanes on 30 June 2009, and all eight lanes were open by 24 March 2010.
Engineering and design
The sea link was built by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC). It has three main parts: a viaduct at the Bandra end, cable-stayed spans over the navigation channels, and a viaduct at the Worli end.
- The Bandra channel is crossed by the main cable-stayed bridge, with two 250-metre spans hung from a tall central tower. This tower, about 126 to 128 metres high, is the bridge’s most recognisable feature.
- The Worli channel has a smaller cable-stayed section with a 150-metre main span.
- The viaducts were built from precast concrete segments, each weighing roughly 110 to 140 tonnes.
The seabed under the route is a mix of basalt, volcanic tuff, fractured rock and sandstone, which made the foundations one of the project’s hardest engineering problems.
An earlier version of this article said the bridge is “126 metres high and 66 feet wide” and weighs as much as “50,000 African elephants”. The 126 to 128 metre figure is the height of the main tower, not the deck; the deck has two carriageways each about 20 metres wide. We could not verify the elephant comparison, so it has been removed.
What has changed recently
The sea link is now part of a longer coastal route. The Mumbai Coastal Road, officially the Dharmaveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road, runs from Marine Drive to Worli. Connectors between the Coastal Road and the sea link opened in stages between September 2024 and early 2025, according to news reports at the time, so traffic can now pass directly between the two. You can now drive from Bandra to Marine Drive along the sea without using the city’s inland roads.
At peak hours, the sea link cuts the Bandra-Worli journey from 20 to 30 minutes by road to about 10 minutes. An earlier version of this article said the saving was “from 60 to 90 minutes to 20 to 30 minutes”; those figures were not supported.
Toll and rules
- Toll: All vehicles pay a toll at the toll plaza at the Bandra end. MSRDC sets single-journey, return and daily-pass rates by vehicle type, and revised them from 1 April 2024. The old rates in this article (₹70 to ₹145 single journey) are out of date, so check MSRDC’s current chart before you travel.
- Vehicles not allowed: motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and pedestrians.
- No stopping: There is no viewing area on the bridge. Do not stop to take photographs; enjoy the view from your seat and photograph the bridge from the shore.
- Speed: Follow the posted speed limit and lane markings.
Best time to see the sea link
The bridge is most striking in the evening, when its cables are lit up. For a quick drive, early morning or late night has the least traffic. Driving across during the monsoon, with clouds low over the sea, is popular with Mumbaikars. Drive carefully in heavy rain and strong wind.
Where to view it from the shore
- Bandra: The promenade at Bandra Bandstand and the area around Bandra Fort give a classic view of the cable-stayed tower.
- Worli: The Worli Sea Face promenade looks out across the bay towards the bridge.
How to cross the sea link
- By taxi or app cab: The simplest way. Ask the driver to take the sea link; the toll is usually added to your fare.
- From the railway: Bandra station on the Western line is the nearest railway station at the northern end. Take a taxi from there to join the sea link.
Nearby places
- Haji Ali Dargah, on an islet off the Worli coast
- Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, near the Worli end
- Marine Drive, now linked to the sea link by the Coastal Road
Frequently asked questions
Can two-wheelers use the Bandra-Worli Sea Link?
No. Motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed on the sea link.
Is the Bandra-Worli Sea Link open 24 hours?
Yes. It is a public road and is open round the clock, all year.
Is there a toll on the sea link?
Yes. A toll is collected at the Bandra end. Rates depend on vehicle type and journey type, and were last revised by MSRDC in April 2024.
What is the official name of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link?
Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, named after the former Prime Minister. Most people still call it the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Can I walk on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link?
No. Pedestrians are not allowed. The best views are from Bandra Bandstand, Bandra Fort and the Worli Sea Face.
Details checked in October 2026 against published records of the project, MSRDC’s April 2024 toll revision as reported in the press, and news reports on the Mumbai Coastal Road connectors. Toll rates change, so confirm them with MSRDC before you travel.
