Government mulls building Sealink between Bandra and Versova

The state government could tweak its plans to create a coastal road connecting Nariman Point with the suburbs by scrapping the construction of a coastal road between Bandra and Versova. It is, instead, mulling over a shelved plan of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to construct a 9-km-long Sealink between Bandra and Versova known as Bandra-Versova Sealink (BVSL).

“The reason behind tweaking plans could be the strong opposition from environmentalists and locals of Bandra, Juhu and the fishermen of surrounding areas,” said a senior state government official.

The 35-km-long coastal road being constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has faced strong opposition from Juhu residents over a proposed tunnel road beneath the beach, which they claim, would destroy its beauty. In addition, it had also faced stiff opposition as the alignment of the coastal road between Bandra and Versova was to run through mangroves and koliwadas, which resulted in fishermen opposing the project.

On the other hand, the MSRDC has already obtained required permissions, which includes Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. According to an MSRDC official, in a meeting conducted at the chief minister’s war room it had indicated to the chief minister that the corporation was ready with the construction plan and if the state permitted it, the plan could be taken up.

“The CM was quite positive about the Bandra-Versova Sealink when we made him understand that the major opposition for the coastal road is between Bandra and Versova over damage to mangroves,” said a senior government official.

The MSRDC, after obtaining CRZ clearances, had also invited bids for the appointment of consultants to obtain other environmental clearances for the BVSL.