In a monumental decision for Mumbai's infrastructure, the Maharashtra government has officially approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ambitious Uttan-Virar Sea Link. With a staggering cost of Rs 58,754 crore, this project greenlights a transformative 120-km coastal corridor designed to connect South Mumbai's Marine Drive with the upcoming Vadhavan deep-sea port in Palghar.
The approval, granted on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, marks a critical leap forward, moving the project to the next stage where it awaits central government clearance for its foreign funding plan before tendering can begin. Officials have hailed this sea link as one of the most significant road initiatives in the region since the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Coastal Road.
A New High-Speed Coastal Spine
Planned as the Mumbai-Vadhavan Expressway Corridor (MVEC), this route is envisioned as a high-speed, fully access-controlled expressway running parallel to the congested Western Express Highway and suburban roads. The core of this massive undertaking is a 24.35-km sea bridge between Uttan and Virar, which is set to become the country's longest sea link.
The total project length outlined in the DPR is 55.12 km, which includes crucial connectors at Uttan (9.32 km), Vasai (2.5 km), and Virar (18.95 km). The entire corridor, spanning over 30 km with its connectors, will feature six lanes, emergency shoulders, navigational spans, and a state-of-the-art Intelligent Transport System for real-time traffic monitoring and swift incident response.
Funding and Next Steps
To finance this colossal project, the state has authorized the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to raise Rs 44,332 crore from foreign financial institutions. Japan's JICA is being explored as the primary lender for this initiative.
The state government's share will be Rs 11,116 crore, covering taxes, land acquisition, and rehabilitation costs, while the MMRDA will contribute Rs 3,306 crore. The proposal for this foreign borrowing is now set to be forwarded to the Union Department of Economic Affairs for final approval.
Transformative Impact on Connectivity and Economy
The MVEC is expected to be a game-changer for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It will drastically reduce travel time between the island city and the northern suburbs, while also providing a direct route for vehicles from Gujarat and Delhi—via the under-construction Mumbai-Delhi Expressway—to reach South Mumbai through Vadhavan without entering the western suburbs.
This enhanced connectivity is projected to unlock vast stretches of land in the Uttan-Bhayandar, Vasai, and Virar belt, spurring growth in housing, tourism, and port-related industries once the Vadhavan Port becomes operational. Furthermore, the construction phase is anticipated to generate several thousand jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
With the DPR now approved, the project's journey towards becoming a reality has officially begun, promising to usher in a new era of coastal development and seamless connectivity for millions.
