Uttan-Vasai-Virar Sea Link Gets Environment Approval: Signal-Free Travel from Virar to Mumbai’s Marine Drive Soon
Mumbai, 24th October 2025: Commuters in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts are set to get major relief from daily traffic woes as the Uttan-Vasai-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project has received final approval from the Environment Department. The project promises uninterrupted, signal-free travel from Virar to Marine Drive, significantly easing congestion along key routes.
Daily commuters along the Vasai-Virar to Dahanu stretch, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, have long faced severe traffic jams. The new sea link is expected to provide a safer and faster alternative. Travel from Virar to Versova, which currently takes around two hours, is expected to be completed in just 45 minutes once the project is operational.
Project Details and Connectivity
The UVSL will be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and aims to offer a permanent solution to traffic congestion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, particularly at Ghodbunder Road.
Total Project Length: 55.12 km
Main Sea Bridge: 24.35 km connecting Uttan and Virar over the sea
Connectors: 30.77 km linking the main route to major roads
Uttan Connector: 9.32 km, connecting to the Versova-Bhayandar-Dahisar Coastal Road
Vasai Connector: 2.50 km fully elevated
Virar Connector: 18.95 km, connecting directly to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway
Once completed, the sea link will enable direct, non-stop travel from Marine Drive to Virar via Dahisar-Bhayander and Versova Coastal Roads, reducing pressure on the Western Expressway and local train services.
Funding and Economic Feasibility
The project is jointly financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), contributing 72.17 percent through toll-based reimbursement, and the Government of Maharashtra/MMRDA, contributing 27.83 percent in capital.
The initial estimated cost of ₹87,000 crore was revised to ₹52,652 crore after technical reassessment, including lane reduction (three lanes each way) and redesigned bridge pillars.
The sea link will also provide direct connectivity to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway and Vadhan Port in Palghar, linking Mumbai’s northern suburbs with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Experts expect this connectivity to boost regional and national economic growth.
Environmental Considerations
Although the project has been approved, it will involve some impact on mangroves and forest land. The Environment Department has instructed the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to expedite implementation while ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines.
With final clearance in place, the Uttan-Vasai-Virar Sea Link is poised to become a game-changer for commuters and the region’s economy, offering faster travel, reduced congestion, and improved connectivity across Mumbai’s northern suburbs.
