BMC Approves Versova-Dahisar Link Road Proposal, Aims To Complete Project By 2028
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) gave a green signal for the proposal worth INR 25,413 crore for the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR). The civic body is planning to start the project by October 2024.
The 18.47-kilometer VDLR is a section of the 3.9-kilometer tunnel that connects Mindspace in Malad West and Charkop in Kandivli, as well as the high-speed corridor that runs along Mumbai’s western shore to Palghar. The civic authority hopes to complete the project in four years, with six phases to be finished.
I S Chahal, the civic chief, approved the plan last week. It states that the project will be built with a top speed of 100 km/h. However, traffic police will determine vehicle speed after work is finished, an official said. The plan states that the true cost of construction is INR 16,306 crore. However, the INR 25,413 crore also covers the cost of the casting yard’s rent, operation and maintenance expenses, and goods and services tax. The amount that BMC will pay to rent the land for the casting yard is INR 928 crore.
“We are seeking bids to lease the property. Money will be saved if we can obtain it for less money,” the official continued.
“We’re going to begin the process of giving contractors work orders. Subsequently, obtaining authorization from multiple government agencies, principally the Ministry of the Environment, will commence. This will take at least six months. We intend to begin the work following the monsoon,” the official said.
October is expected to bring state Assembly elections, and rumours have it that the state government is prepared to begin work on this project ahead of schedule.
