Revised ₹52,652 Cr Uttan-Virar Sea Link Plan Tabled, To Link Mumbai with Vadhavan Port
MMRDA cuts project cost by ₹34,775 crore; new design to boost regional connectivity and port-led development
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has presented a revised, economically viable plan for the ambitious Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project, slashing the budget from a staggering ₹87,427 crore to a more manageable ₹52,652 crore. The proposed route is set to connect Mumbai’s northern suburbs directly with the upcoming Vadhavan Port and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, forming a critical economic and logistics corridor.
The updated proposal was formally reviewed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a high-level meeting at Mantralaya. Officials including Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and MMRDA Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee were in attendance, with Dr. Mukherjee leading a detailed presentation.
Sharply Cut Costs Through Smarter Engineering
MMRDA evaluated six alternative proposals ranging between ₹87,427 crore and ₹52,652 crore. The latter was selected for its financial feasibility, environmental sustainability, and engineering efficiency. Cost reductions were achieved through:
- Lane optimization: Reducing carriageways from 4+4 to 3+3 lanes, and 2+2 lanes for connectors, brought significant savings in civil and structural work.
- Right-of-Way (RoW) rationalization: Reduced lane width led to less land acquisition, lowering project-affected compensation and environmental impact.
- Structural redesign: Replacing twin-pillar bridges with single-pillar designs made construction cheaper and eco-friendlier.
- Trimmed advisory and preliminary expenses.
Route and Technical Details
- Total Length: 55.12 km
- Main Sea Link: 24.35 km
- Connectors: 30.77 km
- Uttan Connector (9.32 km) – Links Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road
- Vasai Connector (2.5 km) – Fully elevated
- Virar Connector (18.95 km) – Direct link to Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway
The sea link will adopt a 3+3 lane configuration (25.1 meters wide) while connectors will follow a 2+2 lane setup (18.55 meters) — designed to sustain efficient movement for the next 30 years.
Financing the Project
- ₹37,998 crore (72.17%) – Proposed from JICA and multilateral lenders, repayable through toll revenue
- ₹14,654 crore (27.83%) – Equity contribution from the Maharashtra Government/MMRDA
CM Fadnavis directed MMRDA to submit an updated Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Preliminary Project Report (PPR) to the government without delay. He also instructed fast-tracking of regulatory clearances and creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to execute the project.
Strategic Value for MMR
UVSL is positioned as a game-changer in Mumbai’s infrastructure roadmap. By linking northern suburbs to Vadhavan Port and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the project will unlock new economic zones, decongest existing transport arteries, and offer robust logistics efficiency for freight and commuters alike.
Top officials including Vikas Kharge, Ashwini Bhide, Shrikant Pardeshi, and Milind Mhaiskar were also present during the project’s presentation, signaling high administrative priority.