Mumbai’s Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has dramatically lowered the estimated cost of the Uttan–Virar Coastal Road (UVCR), trimming it from ₹87 427 crore to ₹52 652 crore—a reduction of nearly ₹34 000 crore—through technical redesign and enhanced environmental sensitivity ahead of formal presentation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The revised 55.12 km corridor, featuring a 24.35 km coastal stretch and 30.77 km of connecting roads, adopts a 3+3 lane main roadway and 2+2 lanes on feeder connectors. This departs from the earlier 4+4+emergency and 3+3+1 lane layouts, significantly cutting civil, structural, and land acquisition expenses by reducing right-of-way needs. Structural optimisation was central to the overhaul. Twin-pier designs have been replaced with single-pier viaducts, conserving materials, manpower, and procurement overheads. Consultancy fees and provisional charges were rationalised, overheads shrunk, and cost estimates aligned with extant infrastructure capacity.
The corridor includes three key connectors: the 9.32 km Uttan Connector leading to the Dahisar–Bhayandar Link Road, a 2.5 km elevated Vasai Connector, and an 18.95 km Virar Connector linking to the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway. According to MMRDA, this alignment is poised to enhance both passenger and goods movement between Mumbai’s northern suburbs, the western coast, and national transit corridors. Of the revised outlay, 72.2% (₹37 998 crore) is expected to come from multilateral loans—likely sourced from JICA—serviced through toll collection. The balance will be funded by the Maharashtra government and MMRDA equity (27.8%, or ₹14 654 crore).
Fadnavis has tasked MMRDA with finalising the Detailed and Preliminary Project Reports immediately. A Special Purpose Vehicle will be formed to oversee execution, and clearances will be expedited. This marks a strategic push toward integrating the UVCR with Vadhavan Port and the Samruddhi (Delhi–Mumbai) Expressway. The project promises to advance Mumbai’s connectivity infrastructure, potentially easing congestion along the Western Express Highway, SV Road and Link Road. It also forms part of the broader Ring Road vision, linking seamless travel across the metropolitan region by 2029.
Environmental benefits are central: with a leaner footprint, fewer piles and piers are expected to reduce impact on mangroves and coastlines—aligning the project with principles of sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure. Implementation challenges remain, including land acquisition, ecological clearances, and long-term financial sustainability. Yet, the redesign signals a shift toward leaner, citizen-centric infrastructure that balances connectivity with ecologic
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