Latest news with #Uttan-VirarSeaLink
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Road-cum-rail bridge likely over Vasai creek
Mumbai: The state government is contemplating a two-deck road-cum-rail bridge over Vasai Creek that will provide seamless connectivity between Mumbai and Virar, and onward, with the upcoming Vadhavan port and the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway. The first rail-cum-road bridge in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the structure under consideration will amalgamate two separate projects – the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) which was approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on May 2, and the Mira Road-Virar metro 13 corridor, which is in the planning stage. The estimated cost of the two projects is over ₹94,000 crore, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) being the major funder. Uttan Virar Sea Link The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation had initially mooted a sea link between Versova and Virar. The MMRDA, which took over the project in October 2022, subsequently broke it down it into two actionable phases – phase one focussed on connecting Uttan with Virar, and phase two on connecting Virar with Palghar. The first phase of the project – the Uttan Virar Sea Link (UVSL) – envisages a high-speed, eight-lane road linking the city directly with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The road will have three entry/ exit points at Uttan, Vasai and Virar and it is expected to ease traffic on existing arterial roads such as the Western Express Highway, SV Road, and Link Road. The UVSL was approved after considerable review during a meeting held on May 2, sources in MMRDA told HT. 'The project will bring wide-ranging benefits to the northern part of MMR as it will unlock regional economic potential, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life,' said an MMRDA official. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too said the UVSL would pave the way for a 'brighter, more connected future' for MMR. 'The project is a monumental leap forward in the development of Maharashtra's infrastructure and reflects our commitment to creating better connectivity for all, while stimulating economic growth and ensuring environmental sustainability in Mumbai,' said Fadnavis. 'This vital corridor will connect Virar to Mumbai in mere minutes, enabling smoother daily commutes, faster access to workplaces, and timely travel even in medical emergencies,' said MMRDA commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee. Clubbing with Metro 13 The 23-km metro 13 corridor, also known as the purple line, will connect Shivaji Nagar in Mira Road with Virar. Being built by the MMRDA at a cost of ₹6,900 crore, the metro corridor will be built across the Vasai Creek and integrate with the under construction metro 9 corridor between Dahisar East and Uttan. Once ready, passengers would be able to travel all the way from Gundavali on the metro 7 corridor till Virar with interchanges at Dahisar East and Shivaji Nagar. The metro 13 line will run parallel to the Western Railway network and ease congestion inside local trains, sources in the MMRDA told HT. 'Presently, we are exploring the option of amalgamating the metro line with the UVSL to prevent duplication of resources and construct a two-deck bridge within the same space,' an MMRDA official told Hindustan Times, requesting anonymity. 'The lower deck will likely accommodate the road while the upper deck will have the metro line. The two can interchanged too, depending on the detailed plan.' The bridge, which will pass over Vasai Creek, is likely to be built using orthotropic steel deck spans for enhanced durability and seismic resistance, like in the case of the Atal Setu, said MMRDA officials. While JICA will provide 72% funding for the ₹87,000-crore project, the state government/ MMRDA will provide the balance funds, the officials said.
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Uttan-Virar Sea Link Phase 1 approved, set to transform connectivity in North Mumbai region
The Maharashtra government has approved Phase 1 of the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project that is intended to ease road congestion, lower travel time, and unleash the untapped economic potential of areas like Uttan, Vasai and Virar on the outskirts of Mumbai. The project, which is said to be 'a game-changer for connectivity and economic development in the northern suburbs', was cleared at the 159th Authority Meeting of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and authority chairman Eknath Shinde, last month. The approval was announced on Friday. Spearheaded by the MMRDA, the UVSL project envisages a high-speed, eight-lane, north-south corridor along the coast that will create direct connectivity between the northern suburbs of Mumbai and key expressways. It is also expected to help manage pressure on arterial roads like Western Express Highway, S V Road and Link Road. It will also act as an arterial link to the Delhi -Mumbai Expressway, enabling seamless intercity traffic and boosting regional integration. The UVSL, initially planned as the Versova-Virar Sea Link by the Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC), was handed over to MMRDA in 2022. Later, it was restructured into two phases – Phase 1 from Uttan to Virar, now ready to be launched, and Phase 2 from Virar to Palghar, under feasibility study. According to MMRDA officials, the segment from Versova to Uttan was reconsidered to prevent duplication with BMC's North Coastal Road Project. The UVSL Phase 1 will stretch for 55.12 km, including the sea link and its three approach roads. (Express Photo) Besides the better traffic flow, UVSL will also be an important economic activity driver that connects residential, commercial and industrial clusters more efficiently. It is expected to spur the development of new industrial and real estate hubs, attract private investment and generate employment both during its construction and when in operation. Shinde called the sea link transformational, and said, 'With this connectivity, we are joining the important districts of MMR — Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar like never before. This project will not only ease the traffic but also enhance economic prospects and bring the region together, really realising our vision of 'One MMR, One Growth Story'.' Emergency responders, like ambulances and disaster response teams, will also benefit from faster access along the upgraded corridor, enhancing public safety outcomes. The UVSL Phase 1 will stretch for 55.12 km, including the sea link and its three approach roads. The main sea link between Uttan and Virar will stretch for 24.35 km, and the connecting roads of Uttan (9.32 km), Vasai (2.5 km), and Virar (18.95 km) will bring neighbouring localities into the corridor. The new layout includes several infrastructure enhancements like re-aligned ramps, tunnelling, and OSD conversion spans – technologies used in other marquee ventures like Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Atal Setu. These design elements will improve seismic strength and long-term durability. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 87,427 crore. It will be financed through a hybrid model where 72 per cent of the funds will be provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the remaining 28 per cent by the Maharashtra government and MMRDA. 'By the UVSL, we not only bridge gaps but also change lives. The vital corridor will connect Virar to Mumbai within minutes, allowing for smoother day-to-day commutes, faster access to workplaces, and punctual travel even during medical emergencies,' MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said.
