Bandra-Versova Sea Link may get green nod

The MoEF expert appraisal committee on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), infrastructure and miscellaneous projects will consider the 10-km link at its 117th meeting in Delhi on October 18

After two major transport infrastructure projects got a positive response from Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) last month, hopes of Bandra-Versova Sea Link, which comes up for discussion this month, getting the green nod have brightened.

The MoEF expert appraisal committee on coastal regulation zone (CRZ), infrastructure and miscellaneous projects will consider the 10-km link at its 117th meeting in Delhi on October 18.

State officials who discussed Sewri-Nhava Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Peddar Road Flyover with the committee last month were confident of securing an environmental clearance.

If cleared, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will implement the project right away.

"As soon as we get clearance, our engineers and consultants will start preparing tender documents and finalise cost and related issues to invite bids," said an senior MSRDC official.

The link, which will be built 900 metres into sea, is an arm of the proposed Western Freeway Project to create a ring road around Mumbai together with the under-construction Eastern Freeway.

MSRDC sought environmental clearance for the sea link in November 2011, but MoEF demanded certain clarifications. Accordingly, a revised proposal was submitted in May this year.

The eight-lane road will also connect Bandra-Worli Sea Link and provide immediate relief to residents of western suburbs commutting to south Mumbai.

It will have dispersal points at Juhu Koliwada and Carter Road.

As per a proposal MSRDC submitted to Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority last year, the project is estimated to cost Rs 4,045 crore.

It, however, clashes with another state proposal to build a coastal road of about 35 km. A government-appointed joint technical committee had in a report submitted in December 2011 ignored the sea link and instead suggested connecting the Bandra-end of Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Malad through a combination of reclaimed, elevated, stilted roads and tunnels.

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