June 3, 2025: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has slashed the projected cost of the Uttan-Virar Coastal Road (UVCR) project by Rs 340 billion, bringing the total estimate down to Rs 52.7 billion from the earlier Rs 87.4 billion. The revised plan was presented to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent review meeting in Mumbai.
Spanning 55.12 km, the UVCR includes a 24.35 km main coastal stretch and 30.77 km of connecting roads, aiming to improve access between Mumbai’s northern suburbs and its western coastline. The project has undergone significant redesign to reduce costs, including a leaner 3+3 lane carriageway on the main road and 2+2 lanes on the connectors—down from the original 4+4 and 3+3+1 configurations. These changes have trimmed civil and structural costs and reduced land acquisition needs by minimising the right of way.
Further savings have been achieved by shifting from two-pier to single-pier designs, leading to lower material and labour requirements. Additionally, rationalised consultancy fees, reduced overheads, and better utilisation of existing infrastructure have contributed to the budget reduction.
Key components of the project include three major connectors: the 9.32 km Uttan Connector (linking to the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road), a 2.5 km elevated Vasai Connector, and the 18.95 km Virar Connector (connecting to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway). The main carriageway will be 25.1 metres wide, with connector roads spanning 18.55 metres.
The road is expected to ease the movement of goods and passengers and improve integration with national transport corridors, including the planned Vadhavan Port. Funding will come through 72.17% in loans from JICA or similar multilateral bodies, repaid via toll revenue, with the remainder funded by the state government and MMRDA equity.
CM Fadnavis has instructed MMRDA to finalise and submit the updated Detailed and Preliminary Project Reports and form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to expedite implementation.
Source: Construction World
