Mumbai’s ambitious plans for the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) spanning 20km and the Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road (DBLR) covering 5km have hit a roadblock as bureaucratic hurdles delay crucial permissions, nearly six months after work orders were issued.
The combined projects, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 20,000 crore, are integral extensions of Mumbai’s Coastal Road initiative, linking Marine Drive to Worli and soon extending up to Bandra via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link later this year.
According to municipal officials, permissions from multiple authorities including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), Maritime Board, and Bombay High Court are pending. Additionally, modifications to the Development Plan (DP) are required, further complicating the approval process.
“We remain optimistic about securing the necessary permissions within the next two months. Initial work at the road level can commence while we await comprehensive approvals,” stated a municipal official familiar with the developments.
The Dahisar-Bhayander project, valued at Rs 3,304 crore, proposes an expansive 45-metre wide elevated road, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the bustling northern suburbs. Meanwhile, the Versova-Dahisar project, with an allocated budget of Rs 16,621 crore, is segmented into phases, beginning with the Versova to Bangur Nagar stretch and extending to Mindspace in Malad, including the crucial 4.46km GMLR connecting to Western Express Highway near Oberoi Mall.
The delays in permissions have raised concerns about the timeline for project completion and the potential economic impacts on Mumbai’s infrastructure development agenda. Municipal authorities are keen to proceed with the phased rollout of construction activities once regulatory clearances are in place.
With these projects poised to significantly enhance Mumbai’s connectivity and urban infrastructure, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation amidst expectations of expedited approvals to kickstart the long-awaited roadworks.
