The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL), envisioned as the northernmost arm of Mumbai’s coastal road network. Once completed, the corridor will serve as a critical link in a future ring road along the city’s western shoreline, enabling a seamless high-speed drive from Nariman Point to Virar and eventually Palghar.
A High-Speed Coastal Corridor for Northern Suburbs
The Uttan-Virar Sea Link is planned as an eight-lane north-south sea bridge connecting Uttan, near Bhayandar, with Virar over 24.35 km. Phase 1 of the project spans 55.12 km, including approach roads connecting Uttan, Vasai, and Virar. Estimated at Rs 58,754 crore, the project will be jointly funded by the state government and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), with Rs 44,332 crore expected from foreign lenders, including Japan’s JICA.
“The Uttan-Virar Sea Link will not only provide faster connectivity to the northern suburbs but also serve as a key segment of Mumbai’s long-term coastal road network,” officials said, highlighting its role in forming a continuous ring road around the city.
Reducing Congestion and Travel Time
While the sea link does not directly improve connectivity to South Mumbai on its own, it addresses critical gaps in the coastal corridor north of Versova and aims to ease pressure on heavily congested routes like the Western Express Highway, SV Road, and Link Road. Travel from Virar to South Mumbai, currently taking 90–120 minutes, could drop to 45–55 minutes once all links are operational. Vasai or Uttan commuters may reach South Mumbai in just 30–40 minutes.
For residents of Bhayandar, Vasai, and Virar, this means direct access to major business hubs, hospitals, and employment centers without being delayed by bottlenecks at Dahisar and Mira Road.
Linking Mumbai to Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and Vadhvan Port
The Virar connector will link directly to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, allowing long-distance traffic from Delhi and Gujarat to enter Mumbai through the coastal corridor rather than the congested western suburbs. Additionally, the sea link forms the southern anchor for a proposed coastal expressway extending to Vadhvan Port in Palghar, enabling a high-speed freight corridor and reducing cargo movement through suburban roads.
Experts note that improved connectivity along the Uttan-Virar corridor could unlock significant economic potential, driving housing growth, tourism, port-related industries, and investments along the northern Mumbai suburbs.