Game-Changer for North Mumbai: New Sea-Link Coming to Mumbai; 8-Lane Uttan-Virar Corridor to Cut Travel Time to 45 Minutes

Phase-1 of the Rs.21,000 crore project approved; major relief for Mumbai’s traffic woes

Mumbai is set to get another transformative infrastructure boost with the approval of Phase-1 of the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL), a key segment of the larger Versova-Virar Sea Link (VVSL). Once complete, this 8-lane access-controlled corridor is expected to reduce the Mumbai-Virar journey from two hours to just 45 minutes.

Massive Infrastructure Push

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been greenlit by the state government to execute this ambitious ₹21,000-crore project. The first phase will include:

• Uttan-Virar Sea Bridge: 24.35 km
• Uttan Connecting Road: 9.32 km
• Vasai Connecting Road: 2.5 km
• Virar Connecting Road: 18.95 km
  

Bringing the total to 55.12 km of new infrastructure.

This new sea link is positioned as an alternative to the congested Western Express Highway, Link Road, and S.V. Road. It will enhance intra-city travel, ease traffic in north Mumbai, and eventually connect directly to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

Environmental and Safety Benefits

Besides easing congestion, the UVSL will:

• Reduce travel time
• Lower road accidents
• Decrease air and noise pollution

Two-Phase Development Plan

Initially proposed under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the project was transferred to MMRDA in October 2022. It was split into two phases in February 2024:

• Phase-1: Uttan to Virar (underway)
• Phase-2: Virar to Palghar (under review)

The Versova to Uttan section has been kept out of the current plan due to overlapping jurisdiction with Mumbai’s North Coastal Road Project.