Maharashtra government grants approval to Versova-Bandra sea link

Representational image: The eight-lane 5.6 km long sea bridge Bandra Worli Sea Link, designed to ease traffic congestion in the city, is the first phase of the Western Freeway Sea Link (Bandra to Nariman Point) with the second phase to stretch from Worli to Nariman Point.

The Maharashtra government today accorded administrative approval to the Versova-Bandra sea link (VBSL) project, eight years after the state cabinet committee on Infrastructure (SCCI) cleared it.

In a Government Resolution (GR), the state has pegged the project cost to be around Rs 7,502 crore and its length is estimated to be about 17.17 km. The SCCI had cleared the project on August 18, 2009.

However, it took another four years, for the government to get the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and environment clearance from the Centre which were given in January 2013, an official said.

In extending the area in length, the government has approved the design plan at a height of 900m from the coastline. The main four lane bridge of the VBSL will span 9.60km. The balance cantilever and cable-stayed sections of the bridge will cover 100m and 300m respectively.

Besides this, the VBSL will have connectors at Bandra, Otters Club, Juhu Link Road and Versova Link Road. There will be toll plazas at Bandra, Carter Road, Juhu-Koliwada and at Nana-Nani Park, it added.

The existing prevailing toll rates shall apply to the VBSL and the concession period shall be up to 2052. In case there is any change in the toll tax policy in the future, the concession period will be revived as per the toll tax policy prevailing then, it stated.

The GR states that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) shall appoint two separate contractors for toll collection and repairs and maintenance of VBSL. The government has also approved the MSRDC to set up Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to raise loan.