Green flag to Rs 87,000-cr Uttan-Virar Sea Link

Mumbai: In a significant development, the state government has cleared the revised Phase I of the proposed 24.35-kms long Uttar-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project costing over Rs 87,000-crore, with enhanced design, connectivity and economic benefits, officials said here.

A MMRDA meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee granted approval for UVSL that envisages unlocking the regional economic potential, improved mobility, better quality of life and other advantages to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Originally planned as the Versova-Virar Sea Link by the MSRDC, it was transferred to MMRDA in Oct. 2022, and subsequently in Feb. 2024, re-cast into two phases – Uttan to Virar (P-1), for immediate implementation, and Virar to Palghar (P-2), currently undergoing feasibility studies.

The Versova-Uttan stretch has been excluded from the current scope as it overlaps with the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s upcoming 5-kms long north Coastal Road Project linking Dahisar and Bhayander.

The officials said that the UVSL, slated for completion by 2029, with possible financing by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), would comprise a high-speed 8-lane north-south corridor in the MMR, linking directly with the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway.

Besides the main Sea Link, there will be 30.77 kms long connectors at Uttan, Vasai and Virar of six lanes each, a 1.2 kms long tunnel near the Arnala Fort in Virar, navigational spans for maritime traffic in the Arabian Sea and other modern features.

The UVSL is expected to decongest traffic on major roads in Mumbai like the Western Express Highway, SV Road, Link Road, leading to lower pollution levels, better road safety, slashing travel time and adding to the quality of life of people in the region.

The UVSL would complement the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project and the upcoming 126-kms long Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, besides the network of Metro Rail networks spanning the entire MMRDA.

It will streamline and boost transportation with improved access to major residential, commercial and industrial zones in the MMR, plus strengthen economic ties with neighbouring states through connectivity to logistical hubs and facilitating smoother movement of goods and people.

The UVSL is expected to attract substantial investments, pave the way for development of industrial clusters and commercial centres and contribute to sustainable and balanced regional economic growth.

Extensive direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created, uplift income levels among the local population, improve emergency responses, boost infrastructure development, local municipal revenues, reduce pollution levels plus boost tourism and cultural exchanges through the UVSL.