Devendra Fadnavis’ Japan Visit Forges Path For Japanese Investment In Mumbai’s Rs 63,426 crore Versova-Virar Sea Link Project

The Japan visit of Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is yielding significant developments for Mumbai and the state.

Recent updates indicate that Japanese agencies and government have expressed interest in funding the ambitious Versova-Virar sea link project proposed in Mumbai.

Fadnavis is currently undertaking a five-day visit to Japan, aimed at strengthening partnerships for several big-ticket infrastructure ventures within the state.

Positioning Maharashtra as a prime choice to entice Japanese investors, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed that the state is eager to establish partnerships with Japan across a wide array of industries — infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Fadnavis conducted discussions with Takagi Kei san, who holds the position of Vice Minister at the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The Japanese minister has expressed that Japan government/ Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is enthusiastic about the Versova-Virar Sea Link Project.

He mentioned that they are anticipating the Ministry of Finance's official approval and the submission of a funding request for the mega-infrastructure project.

Mumbai’s Longest Sea link

The proposed Versova-Virar sea link is a 43-km elevated road, which will connect Versova to the fast-growing residential hub of Virar, with multiple connectors through its long span.

In addition to the elevated road over the sea, the project also includes the construction of approximately 60 km of suburban roads — including connector roads towards Charkop, Uttan, and Vasai.

The Versova-Virar sea link was initially to be built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The authority had planned to extend the upcoming Bandra-Versova sea link until Virar, in line to possibilities presented by Tata Consulting Engineers in its pre-feasibility assessment sought in 2019. 

However, the project was transferred to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in October last year.

This longest sea link of the network, will further support in relieving congestion on the western express highway, as well as, internal S V Road and Link Road.

It has an estimated budget of Rs 63,426 crore and would be the city’s costliest sea link.

Mumbai is in the process of constructing a high-speed road corridor to improve transportation between the northern and southern parts of the city — through a network of coastal roads and sea links. 

Along the longest sea link connecting Versova to Virar, which is under the proposal stages, the network includes — the coastal road project connecting Marine Lines to Worli and linking to the already built Worli-Bandra sea link.

Further, it includes the under-construction 10-km-long Bandra-Versova sea link, and the 18 km Versova-Dahisar coastal road. (Read more on this)