BMC To Deploy 200 Extra Engineers For Versova-Dahisar Link Road, Fast-Tracks Coastal Road Phase II

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed deploying nearly 200 additional engineers to oversee the 20-km Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR), pegged at Rs 16,621 crore, The Free Press Journal reported.

The proposal awaits clearance from Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.

With major infrastructure projects like the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), Madh-Versova bridge, and several bridge reconstructions underway, the civic body is grappling with a manpower crunch in its Bridges Department which prompted this decision.

Simultaneously, the BMC has fast-tracked Phase II of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP), following a state directive.

Like Phase I, which stretches 10.58 km from Marine Drive to Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Phase II will have a dedicated team and feature tunnels, a cable-stayed bridge, and key interchanges for improved north-south traffic flow.

Construction of a 5.6 km elevated road from Dahisar to Bhayandar, approved at Rs 3,304 crore, will also begin this August.

Civil work for VDLR will commence in September, with machinery mobilisation and casting yard setup.

A tunnel boring machine is expected to start work on the Mindspace (Malad), Charkop tunnel, which will eventually connect to the GMLR for better east-west connectivity.

“To ensure smooth execution, engineers from roads, sewerage, and water supply departments will be involved in contractor oversight, technical support, and progress tracking,” a senior civic official was quoted as saying by The Free Press Journal, adding that this team will also assist with other ongoing infrastructure efforts.

Meanwhile, the team managing Phase I will continue its role, as the department also handles its maintenance and unfinished works, like developing walkways and open spaces.

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