The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to build a 24.29-kilometre high-speed corridor connecting Versova to Dahisar, called the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR).
This project is the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP).
Key Specifications of the Project
The VDLR will be constructed in four different packages, consisting of elevated bridges and underground tunnels.
The first package will include elevated roads, a basket bridge, and an arterial road built on stilts, while the second phase will connect Lokhandwala with Mindspace on Goregaon, featuring a cable-stayed bridge and an elevated road.
The third phase will link Mindspace with Charkop and include an open-to-sky ramp and an underground tunnel extending between Malad and Charkop.
Finally, the last phase will feature a cable-stayed bridge, a basket bridge, and an arterial road.
How Will It Help Mumbaikars?
The VDLR is set to revolutionize travel in Mumbai, reducing travel time by a whopping 70%.
This will ease traffic on the SV Road, Link Road, and Western Express Highway (WEH) – the only options to travel between north and south Mumbai currently.
The high-speed corridor will also reduce the carbon footprint, helping the city towards its sustainability goals.
Current Status, Cost, and Timeline
The project’s final plan is ready, and BMC plans to start building the first tunnel this year.
It’s a big project, costing Rs 9,980 crores and taking six years to finish.
Authority and Citizen Speak
P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner (Projects), believes that the completion of the first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project next year means it’s time to move ahead with the second phase.
With traffic expected to increase between the island city and the suburban belt, the new high-speed corridor will provide an alternative and help ease congestion.
Dhaval Shah from the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen’s Association (LOCA) emphasized the importance of keeping toll rates affordable to encourage the use of the connector and prevent the project from becoming a financial burden.
The VDLR is a long-awaited project that promises to improve Mumbai’s infrastructure and provide faster commuting options for its residents. Upon completion, it will enhance the city’s overall transportation system, making it more accessible and better connected.