What Are the Key Features of MMRDA's Revised Plan for the Uttan-Virar Sea Link?

Mumbai, June 26 (NationPress) The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) unveiled a newly revised and economically feasible strategy for the 55.12 km Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) initiative during a presentation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In the review session, the Chief Minister instructed that the proposed UVSL be linked to the forthcoming Vadhavan Port and the Samruddhi Mahamarg (Expressway), establishing a vital connection between Mumbai and the ambitious Vadhavan Port development.

The meeting included key officials such as Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, Additional Commissioner Ashwin Mudgal, among others.

This project aims to link directly with the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway via the Virar connector, enhancing both freight and passenger transit between the northern suburbs and the western coastal corridor.

The Chief Minister highlighted that this initiative will not only generate economic opportunities but also bolster India's port-led development vision, as stated in a government release.

“Following extensive technical assessments, MMRDA proposed six cost variants ranging from Rs 87,427 crore to Rs 52,652 crore. CM Fadnavis and DCM Shinde chose the Rs 52,652 crore option for being more financially viable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. The redesign effectively reduced the budget from Rs 87,427.17 crore to Rs 52,652 crore,” the government release noted.

Previous designs featured 4+4 lanes with emergency lanes. The updated plan now proposes 3+3 lanes for the main carriageway and 2+2 lanes for connectors, which significantly lowers civil and structural costs. Budgeting has been adjusted for inflation and the current road infrastructure to avoid unnecessary expenses. Narrower lane dimensions and optimized routing have minimized the Right of Way (RoW), thereby decreasing land acquisition and rehabilitation costs, as per the release.

Previously planned double-pillar designs have been substituted with single-pillar structures, enhancing cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness in construction. Reductions in temporary expenditures, consultancy fees, and other initial costs have significantly lowered the overall budget.

According to MMRDA, the Uttan-Virar Sea Link will serve as a pivotal element of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region's transportation network, directly linking Mumbai's northern suburbs with Vadhavan Port and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This is anticipated to unlock considerable new economic and connectivity benefits throughout the region.

The Chief Minister also urged the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project's execution and called for expediting the necessary approvals for the proposed alignment.