Mumbai, Nov 4 (NationPress) The infrastructure cabinet committee, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has granted the green light for the extension of the Uttan-Virar sea link to the soon-to-emerge Vadhavan Port in the Palghar district.

Fadnavis stated that this initiative is a significant part of the government’s strategy to combat traffic congestion, emphasizing that enhancements to various infrastructure facilities are underway to alleviate traffic jams on crucial roads in Mumbai, including the Western Express Highway, SV Road, and Link Road.

The Chief Minister revealed that the Uttan-Virar Sea Bridge project spans a total length of 55.12 km, with the primary sea bridge measuring 24.35 km. This endeavor will include the construction of a 9.32 km Uttan link road, a 2.5 km Vasai link road, and an 18.95 km Virar link road, all extending to the Vadhavan Port.

“We are currently working on enhancing North-South road connectivity within Mumbai, with the South Coast Road, Bandra Worli Sea Bridge, and Atal Setu Bridge already completed. Ongoing projects include the Orange Gate Tunnel, Versova-Bandra Sea Bridge, North Coast Road, Delhi-Mumbai Highway, and the Sewri-Worli Elevated Road,” he added.

Furthermore, proposals are in place for the construction of both the Uttan-Virar Sea Bridge and the Virar-Alibaug Multipurpose Corridor.

“This will facilitate seamless travel in Mumbai and significantly improve traffic conditions,” he asserted.

Fadnavis emphasized the necessity of developing a ring road and an inter-ring road for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik to efficiently manage the influx of devotees from seven different routes.

Plans for these ring roads are projected to be completed between March and June 2027. Additionally, approval was granted today for the construction of a 66 km inter-ring road in Nashik.

The Chief Minister also confirmed that approval has been given for the required land acquisition for these roads, with the associated costs to be funded by the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority.

Recognizing Pune as Maharashtra's second most populous city, new initiatives are being launched to maintain an efficient transport system. The Chief Minister instructed the administration to ensure the completion of all projects within a three-year timeframe, including the metro system in Pune.

“Several projects are underway to establish a metro network in Pune. The elevated metro spanning 4.4 km from Pune Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Nigdi is set to finish by January 2027, while the underground metro from Swargate to Katraj is expected to be completed by March 2029. The corridors from Vanaz to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi are projected to be done by July 2029,” he remarked, urging for the expedited completion of Pune Metro Line 3 and the immediate initiation of land acquisition for the Kharadi-Hadapsar-Swargate-Khadakwasla project.

In addition, while constructing the Hadapsar - Loni Kalbhor corridor and the Hadapsar Bus Depot to Saswad corridor, CM Fadnavis instructed to extend this route to the forthcoming Purandar Airport in Pune district via a tunnel.

He also urged the administration to plan roads and metro services to connect to Purandar Airport and to establish extensive parking facilities through multi-level integration.