Versova-Bandra sea link gets Maharashtra government nod

Mumbai city news: The link is part of the coastal road project linking Nariman Point with the northern suburbs

In a major boost to development in the city, Thane and Pune, the cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure on Tuesday gave its final nod to various projects including the Rs7,500-crore Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL). This is part of the coastal road project linking Nariman Point with the northern suburbs. The committee also approved the proposed widening of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to eight lanes from the existing six lanes between Khalapur and Lonavala.

The committee gave its nod to build the VBSL based on the cash-contract model. (HT)

The committee gave its nod to build the VBSL based on the cash-contract model, said Radheshyam Mopalwar managing director Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). This means the state will build the sea link on its own and then recover costs by charging toll. The MSRDC recently secured an environment clearance from the state for the project. The agency has already secured a coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) clearance from central agencies for the 9.5km sea link.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway project will be built on a BOT (Build, Operation and Transfer) basis. Its construction includes widening of the expressway to eight lanes from the existing six lanes and building two bridges and two tunnels between Khalapur toll plaza and Sinhagad Institute at Lonavala. This will help ease traffic congestion and saving commuters’ time.The project is expected to save around half an hour while travelling on the route, said another senior official.

The committeee, which comprises eight senior ministers, approved six major projects benefiting Mumbai, Pune and suburbs. The projects included a Rs775 crore creek bridge in Thane, widening of the Thane-Ghodbundar Road at the cost of Rs667 crore and widening Bhiwandi-Kalyan Sheel Phata road for Rs389 crore.

“Mumbai-Pune missing link project worth Rs4,797.57crore, Versova-Bandra Sea Link Rs7,502 crore, Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Rs1,975 crore, work to start from Oct17), Thane creek bridge-3 worth Rs 775.58cr), Elevated road at Thane-Ghodbunder worth Rs 667.37cr) and additional cost Rs 36.95cr approved for Bhiwandi-Kalyan Shilphata elevated project,” CM Fadnavis said in a series of tweets.

Read

Mumbai citizen groups against environmental clearance for Versova-Bandra Sea Link