News Brief

Proposed Uttan-Virar Sea Link (Representative Image )
The Maharashtra government has approved the extension of the proposed Uttan–Virar Sea Link up to Vadhavan Port in Palghar district.
The decision, taken at a Cabinet Infrastructure Committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya, is expected to greatly enhance coastal connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Fadnavis announced that the sea link will now stretch 55.12 km, comprising a 24.35 km main bridge and approach roads measuring 9.32 km from Uttan, 2.5 km from Vasai and 18.95 km from Virar.
He noted that the extension will strengthen north–south connectivity and ease traffic pressure on the Western Express Highway, SV Road and Link Road, which have long been operating over capacity.
The Uttan–Virar Sea Link will complete a critical stretch of Mumbai’s coastal corridor.
Along with the Coastal Road, Bandra–Worli Sea Link and Atal Setu, it will ensure smoother travel from Nariman Point to the northern suburbs, Fadnavis said.
The meeting, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and senior cabinet members, also approved major projects in Nashik and Pune.
Scheduled for completion between March and June 2027, the project will be managed by the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority, which will oversee both land acquisition and funding.
For Pune, the committee reviewed progress on the expanding metro network and directed authorities to complete all ongoing lines within three years.
The metro will feature six-coach trains and new corridors linking Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor and the Hadapsar Depot to Saswad through a tunnel directly connecting to Purandar Airport.
Multi-level parking and integrated road-metro connectivity have also been mandated to enhance urban mobility.