Talks to get Bandra-Worli sea-link patented

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is in talks with a few international legal consultants to patent its iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link project with the intention to generate additional revenue.

"The Corporation is in talks with 2-3 international legal firms to explore possibilities of patenting the Sea Link," a senior MSRDC official told PTI here on the condition of anonymity.

The process has been initiated by the newly-appointed Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Bipin Srimali, after it was noticed that a number of private players were using the sea-link for commercial purposes without informing the authority, he said.

This exercise would also enable the Corporation to generate additional revenue, the official said.

"We expect to get the patent rights by May. Once this is in place, any company or even the State or Central Government would have to pay us a certain amount for using the sea-link for commercial purposes. This will also enable us to generate additional revenue," the official added.

The 4.7-kilometre sea-link was opened for vehicular traffic in March last year.