Latest news with #MaharashtraCoastalZoneManagementAuthority
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Maharashtra coastal zone authority clears Uttan-Virar sea link project
The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project proposed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Speaking about the clearance granted, an official said, 'The project will now be sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval.' The UVSL aims to link the northern regions of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) through a high-speed coastal corridor between Uttan in Thane district and Vasai and Virar in Palghar district. The corridor is proposed as an eight-lane road with a length of 55.12 km. This comprises the main 24.35-km sea link and three approach roads – 9.32 km at Uttan, 2.5 km at Vasai and 18.95 km at Virar. The diversion of 15.39 hectares of mangrove forest land and 2.5 hectares of reserved forest in the eco-sensitive area along Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary will form part of the project. Further, MMRDA will acquire 208.6 hectares of private land for construction. Originally proposed as the Versova-Virar Sea Link under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the project was shifted to MMRDA in 2022. Following a review, the southern part between Versova and Uttan was eliminated to prevent duplication with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's North Coastal Road. The present plan involves Phase 1 from Uttan to Virar, with Phase 2 up to Palghar still under consideration. The sea link will, as per MMRDA, take pressure off north-south road corridors like the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and Swami Vivekanand Road. It will also act as a connector for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and other national highways to improve intercity movement. The cost of the project had recently been cut down to Rs 52,652 crore from Rs 87,427 crore after making changes in lane layouts, minimisation of the land area needed, changes in the designs of connectors, and minimisation of provisional and consultancy charges. The coastal road project to enhance connectivity between the northern suburbs of Mumbai and the western coast will now go with this 'low-cost system'. The project will be financed with a hybrid model wherein 72 per cent of the funding will come from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the remaining from the state government and MMRDA. UVSL will also include several engineering features, such as realigned ramps, tunnels and orthotropic steel deck spans. These have been used in some other coastal infrastructure projects in the state, including the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
News18
2 days ago
- General
- News18
Good News For Mumbaikars: Uttan-Virar Sea Bridge Gets CRZ Clearance
The bridge will span across the Arabian Sea with three connecting arms at Uttan, MSEB, and Virar, easing traffic congestion and reducing travel time for lakhs of daily commuters. In a major step towards transforming Mumbai's coastal infrastructure, the proposed Uttan-Virar sea link has received the crucial Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. The nod comes from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), paving the way for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to begin work on this ambitious project. The 42.75 km long sea bridge — earlier known as the Versova-Virar sea link — is set to be a game-changer for northbound connectivity from Mumbai. It will span across the Arabian Sea with three connecting arms at Uttan, MSEB, and Virar, easing traffic congestion and reducing travel time for lakhs of daily commuters. More importantly, the project has been cleared with 27 specific conditions aimed at protecting mangroves, marine biodiversity, and coastal habitats. These include detailed ecological assessments and compensatory afforestation efforts. The project area covers over 68.8 lakh square metres, of which a large portion — more than 55 lakh square metres — falls under CRZ-4, meaning it lies in the marine zone. To address environmental concerns, the MMRDA has identified nearly 8,420 mangrove trees that would be impacted, mainly in the stretch near the connecting arms. In response, a replantation and rehabilitation plan is being executed, including the creation of a 10.8-hectare compensatory mangrove patch outside CRZ boundaries. Around 52,000 new trees will be planted under this initiative—one of the largest replantation efforts for any single infrastructure project in Maharashtra. While urban expansion is often at odds with nature, the Uttan-Virar sea link tries to strike a delicate balance. It not only promises smoother connectivity for growing suburbs but also reinforces the need for eco-sensitive planning. With green clearance now in place, the MMRDA is preparing to begin groundwork soon. The project is poised to become not just a marvel of engineering, but also a model of sustainable coastal development. The approval also comes as a signal to other infrastructure projects in sensitive zones that development is possible without compromising on environmental responsibilities. With strong safeguards in place and a focus on mitigation, the Uttan-Virar sea link sets a new benchmark in infrastructure execution along India's fragile western coastline. view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 12:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uttan-Virar sea link gets green nod
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has given its approval to the Uttan-Virar sea link project, to be built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Aerial pic of Uttan, pic by Yogesh Naik The BJP-led Mahayuti government is fast-tracking the project to enhance connectivity to the Vadhavan port mega-project in Palghar. The proposed sea link, which will feature three connectors, at Uttan in Thane district, and Vasai and Virar in Palghar district, was submitted to the MCZMA on April 9 and was cleared on July 11. State environment secretary Jayashree Bhoj said the proposal would now be placed before the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for approval. The Uttan-Virar sea link's connectors will claim 15.39 hectares of forest land covered in mangroves, in addition to 2.5 hectares of reserved forest land, in the eco-sensitive zone of the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. MMRDA will also acquire 208.6 hectares of private land for the project. Documents with MMRDA reveal that 9,075 trees will be impacted by sea link's connectors. Of these, 1,868 trees will be axed, 1,612 will be transplanted and 5,595 will be retained. They also show that 8.71 hectares of mangroves will be impacted by the Uttan connector and 6.68 hectares by the Virar connector. Transmission lines and a water pipeline will also have to be diverted. The Versova-Virar sea link project was originally planned from Versova to Virar. However, since the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implementing the North Coastal Road and Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road (DBLR), which connects Versova to Bhayandar along the coast via an alternative route, the proposed sea link will connect Uttan to Virar. The project includes a 24.25-km-long sea bridge from Uttan to Virar. It will run parallel to the coast, at a distance of 1 km. It includes three connectors to improve regional access – the 9.32-km long Uttan (Mira-Bhayandar) connector, starting at an interchange near Uttan beach and connecting to Mira-Bhayandar via the main road near Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose ground. The Vasai connector will be 2.5 km long, connecting the sea link to an interchange at Way Side Amenities. The Virar connector is an 18.95-km extension to Virar, starting near Arnala beach. An interchange will connect to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Centre approves new MCZMA committee
MUMBAI: After eight months, the central government has approved the new Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). It had earlier rejected two panels that the state had suggested. There has been an immense delay in forming the new MCZMA committee, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed displeasure with the delay, said sources. Picture of Versova coast line (Picture by Yogesh Naik) The last meeting regarding this matter was held on December 10 and 11 under the tenure of Pravin Darade, Principal Secretary of the Environment Department. Since the earlier MCZMA committee's tenure had expired, Vinita Vaid Singhal, who headed the environment department, had recommended names. However, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests informed the State Environment Department that those who had worked in MCZMA for two terms could not be part of it again. Finally, a new list was sent, and the notification was issued on Monday. More than 165 projects are awaiting clearance, said sources, with some having been cleared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), and other government organisations. Projects that fall under the purview of the Coastal Regulation Zone of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, have to take clearance from the MCZMA before commencing work. This includes projects in the coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. The new committee will be headed by Jayashree Bhoj, the secretary of the environment department. It will comprise the additional chief secretary of revenue and urban development, secretary of the ministry of industries, fisheries commissioner, the additional principal chief conservator of forests (mangrove cell), BMC commissioner, director of Mumbai Research of Central Marine Fisheries Research, and member secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. It will also include Dr Lakshmipura Revanasiddappa Ranganath, ex-scientist of Central Water and Power Research Station, Dr Milind Madhav Sardesai, head of the botany department at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Dr Amit Ratanlal Bansiwal, chief scientist at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). Aneesh Andheria from the Wildlife Conservation Trust and chairperson of the Bombay Natural History Society will be a member. The director of the environment will be the member secretary. A senior officer of the environment department said the next meeting will be held next week. Dhaval Ajmera, secretary of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry, said, 'We are very happy that the new committee has been formed. It was long overdue. I hope that the meetings will be held fast for quicker decisions.''
Time of India
04-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
BMC issues showcause notice to ‘A' ward officer over irregularities in beautification and development works in south Mumbai
Mumbai: BMC has issued a showcause notice to the A ward officer over irregularities in beautification and development works in Colaba. It was based on a complaint by activist Santosh Daundkar who said information under the RTI Act showed that the ward had issued a work order for repairing a non-existent community temple on 4th Pasta Lane in Colaba and duplication of work orders. The showcause notice, issued by additional municipal commissioner Ashwini Joshi, stated that in the inner lane of 4th Pasta Lane, a platform around the tree was repaired and paver block work was carried out in the surrounding area, however, several components of the estimate were not implemented and there were irregularities even in the measurements of the work. It also mentioned that the beautification work site at Badhwar Park falls within Coastal Regulation Zone but was carried out without obtaining an NOC from the district collector and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority. The notice further stated that it is prima facie evident that there are irregularities in the work carried out and a financial loss was caused to BMC. According to sources, A ward officer Jaydeep More has submitted a reply. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Following Daundkar's complaint, BMC's vigilance department carried out partial inspection of various works in the ward. The officials found no community temple on 4th Pasta Lane. The brick wall around a tree in the inner lane was repaired and paver block placed, but several components of the work estimates, including polished jet-black granite stone plaque, cement corrugated sheets, cast iron railing, ornamental railing, were not implemented. Also, measurements for the removal of old Shahabadi tiles and digging of the ground were recorded twice in both work orders. In the beautification work carried out at Badhwar Park, several items in the work estimates were also not implemented, said Daundkar. "I am surprised that BMC showed repairs to a community temple in an upmarket locality as such temples are usually in slums," said the activist. "Identical works were shown to have been carried out using both MLA and municipal corporation funds. Besides, BMC funds were used for the same work repeatedly. The estimated misuse of funds is Rs 105 crore. While the BMC chief asked the vigilance department to investigate the matter, they took only partial action, and a superficial report was submitted. " Demanding an ACB probe, Daundkar said: "Given the seriousness of these irregularities, involving duplicate reporting, ghost projects, and misuse of public funds, a thorough investigation is warranted."
