In a major development for Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances for the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) and the Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road (DBLR). These approvals, granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on November 13, mark a critical step forward for Phase 2 of the project.
These CRZ clearances come nearly ten months after work orders were issued for the Versova-Bhayander stretch. While two of the three key environmental approvals have been secured, the final nod from the Forest Department is still pending. Additionally, approvals from the High Court and the Maharashtra Maritime Board are also required before construction work can commence. The BMC is optimistic about receiving all remaining clearances by the end of the year, after which civil work will begin immediately. Phase 2 of the Coastal Road Project, with a combined cost of ₹20,648 crore, is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Mumbai’s island city, its suburbs, and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The project is slated for completion by 2029, offering a major boost to the city’s infrastructure.
The ₹16,621 crore Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) is set to transform suburban travel with its advanced design and infrastructure. Spanning 22 kilometres, the road is divided into six packages, including several bridges, flyovers, and tunnels. Key sections include Package A (Versova to Bangur Nagar) and Package B (Bangur Nagar to Mindspace), along with a 4.46 km connector linking the project to the Western Express Highway. The most critical sections, Packages C and D, involve twin 3.66 km tunnels between Mindspace and Charkop at a cost of ₹5,821 crore. Packages E and F will connect Charkop to Gorai and Gorai to Dahisar, respectively. The Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road (DBLR) is a 5.6 km elevated corridor that will connect Dahisar to Mira-Bhayander. The project, estimated at ₹4,027 crore, will feature a 45-metre-wide structure with four lanes in each direction, as well as emergency lanes for fire engines and ambulances.
The BMC will oversee the construction of 1.5 km, while the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) will handle the remaining 4.1 km. Phase 1 of the Coastal Road Project, spanning from Marine Drive to Bandra Worli Sea Link, is nearing completion. Phase 2, once completed, will connect Versova to Bhayander, with a critical link road under construction by the MSRDC between Versova and Bandra Worli Sea Link. This integrated network will enable uninterrupted, signal-free travel from Nariman Point to Bhayander, significantly reducing travel time and easing traffic congestion.
