Maharashtra coastal zone authority clears Uttan-Virar sea link project
Speaking about the clearance granted, an official said, 'The project will now be sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval.'
The UVSL aims to link the northern regions of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) through a high-speed coastal corridor between Uttan in Thane district and Vasai and Virar in Palghar district. The corridor is proposed as an eight-lane road with a length of 55.12 km. This comprises the main 24.35-km sea link and three approach roads – 9.32 km at Uttan, 2.5 km at Vasai and 18.95 km at Virar.
The diversion of 15.39 hectares of mangrove forest land and 2.5 hectares of reserved forest in the eco-sensitive area along Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary will form part of the project. Further, MMRDA will acquire 208.6 hectares of private land for construction.
Originally proposed as the Versova-Virar Sea Link under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the project was shifted to MMRDA in 2022. Following a review, the southern part between Versova and Uttan was eliminated to prevent duplication with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's North Coastal Road. The present plan involves Phase 1 from Uttan to Virar, with Phase 2 up to Palghar still under consideration.
The sea link will, as per MMRDA, take pressure off north-south road corridors like the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and Swami Vivekanand Road. It will also act as a connector for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and other national highways to improve intercity movement.
The cost of the project had recently been cut down to Rs 52,652 crore from Rs 87,427 crore after making changes in lane layouts, minimisation of the land area needed, changes in the designs of connectors, and minimisation of provisional and consultancy charges. The coastal road project to enhance connectivity between the northern suburbs of Mumbai and the western coast will now go with this 'low-cost system'.
The project will be financed with a hybrid model wherein 72 per cent of the funding will come from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the remaining from the state government and MMRDA.
UVSL will also include several engineering features, such as realigned ramps, tunnels and orthotropic steel deck spans. These have been used in some other coastal infrastructure projects in the state, including the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
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