Mumbai: Bandra-Versova Sea Link Project Gets Four-Year Extension; Completion Pushed to May 2028

Mumbai, 27th August 2026: The Bandra-Versova Sea Link project, being constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to ease traffic congestion in Mumbai’s western suburbs, has received a further extension of nearly four years, pushing the expected completion date to May 2028.

According to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the project was originally scheduled to be completed by June 2024. However, the deadline has now been extended by a total of 1,421 days, or nearly four years, across four separate extensions.

MSRDC had appointed VBuild Apco JV as the contractor for the project on June 24, 2019. The first extension of 250 days was granted on June 23, 2020, primarily due to the non-availability of land required for the casting yard.

A further 180-day extension was granted on September 14, 2020, citing restrictions and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subsequently, on February 10, 2022, the contractor was granted another 483 days, reportedly due to restructuring or changes in the joint venture arrangement of the EPC contractor.

The fourth extension, amounting to 508 days, was approved on January 19, 2024, citing changes in the scope of work and additional works. With these extensions, the project’s completion deadline has been moved to May 2028.

Questions raised over contractor

RTI activist Anil Galgali has questioned why no penal action was taken against VBuild Apco JV despite the repeated extensions to the project deadline.

Galgali has argued that the additional financial burden arising from delays could ultimately fall on the government exchequer and, indirectly, on taxpayers. He has demanded that instead of granting repeated extensions, the authorities should strictly enforce the penalty provisions contained in the contract.

The repeated extensions have raised concerns over the pace of one of Mumbai’s major infrastructure projects, which is expected to provide an important alternative route and help reduce traffic congestion across the western suburbs once completed.