Maharashtra approves Versova-Bandra sea link, among others

The cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure has given its final agreement to the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL), giving a major boost to development in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. The Rs 7,500-crore VBSL is part of the coastal road project linking Nariman Point with the northern suburbs. The project was given a nod based on the cash-contract model, which means the state will build the sea link on its own and then recover those costs by charging a toll. The project has also received environmental clearance from the state and coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) clearance from central agencies for the 9.5 km link. This apart, the committee also gave its consent to several other projects including the proposed widening of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from the existing six-lanes to eight-lanes between Khalapur and Lonavala. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway project construction includes widening of the expressway from the existing six lanes to eight lanes and building two bridges and tunnels between the Khalapur toll plaza and the Sinhagad Institute at Lonavala. It will be built on a BOT (Build, Operation and Transfer) basis. This project will help ease congestion and save commuters’ overall travel time. The project is expected to save around a half hour in traveling. Further, the committee also approved six major projects benefiting Mumbai, Pune and the suburbs, which include a Rs 775 crore creek bridge in Thane, Rs 667 crore for widening of the Thane-Ghodbundar Road and Rs 389 crore for widening the Bhiwandi-Kalyan Sheel Phata road.