"MMRDA to Engage Consultant for Extending Versova-Virar Sea Link"

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has taken a significant step toward extending the Versova-Virar Sea Link to Palghar by announcing its intention to engage a consultant for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

In March, the MMRDA approved the proposal to construct a 43-kilometer Versova-Virar Sea Link, with an estimated cost of Rs. 63,426 crore. This extensive sea link project aims to enhance coastal road connectivity, linking Nariman Point to Palghar.

An MMRDA official stated, "The DPR will help map the alignment and connectors that need to be built along this route." The sea link bridge is expected to provide commuters with a more efficient route between South Mumbai and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, which experiences a high traffic density of 1.25 lakh passenger car units (PCUs).

In addition to relieving congestion on the existing road network, the extension of the sea link to Palghar is anticipated to stimulate the tourism sector and boost economic activity in the region. MMRDA has also decided to appoint a consultant for a peer review of the plans for the Versova-Virar Sea Link, a practice introduced as part of "best industry practices."

The peer review will assess various aspects, including the alignment's appropriateness, the potential for mitigating hurdles such as the relief and rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs), and the smooth handling of environmental challenges. It will also consider the availability of better alternatives and ensure that the project serves its intended purpose. Cost estimates will also be subjected to scrutiny.

According to a pre-feasibility study, the sea link is proposed to have connectors at Charkop, Uttan, Vasai, and Virar. The main bridge will feature 4+4 lanes, connecting Versova and Virar, with 3+3 lane connectors at the mentioned locations. The sea link is expected to have a capacity of accommodating 60,000 vehicles per day once it is completed. By 2026, the one-way toll for a car traveling from Versova to Virar is estimated to be around Rs. 1,000.

The decision to develop this sea link was based on recommendations provided in a pre-feasibility report by Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), which was commissioned by the government through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in 2019.

ET