Sea Change Ahead: Uttan-Virar Bridge Gets Green Light!

The proposed Uttan–Virar Sea Bridge has received a crucial regulatory clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), marking a key milestone in advancing one of the state’s largest infrastructure projects, according to a report by News18.

With Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approval now in place, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to move forward with construction. Spanning 42.75 km across the Arabian Sea, the bridge will connect Uttan, MSEB, and Virar—three vital coastal nodes. Formerly known as the Versova–Virar Sea Link, the project spans approximately 68.8 lakh square metres, much of which falls within the environmentally sensitive CRZ-4 marine zone.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to dramatically reduce travel time and alleviate congestion for lakhs of daily commuters traveling between Mumbai and its rapidly growing northern suburbs.

To address ecological concerns, the MMRDA has committed to adhering to 27 environmental safeguards outlined by the MCZMA, ensuring protection of the fragile coastal and marine ecosystem throughout the project’s lifecycle.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.