FAQ's

What is the VBSL project and why is it necessary? 

Versova Bandra Sea Link (VBSL) is the extension of Bandra Worli Sea Link Project (BWSL)  upto Versova. The length of the main sea link is approximately 10 Km and is located at a distance of approximately 900 m to 1200 m away from the coast. Including connectors the total length is 17.17 km. The VBSL project will ease the traffic congestion in the western suburbs. This is the only feasible option to address the traffic congestion problem, in western suburbs. 

When was the approval for Versova Bandra Sea Link project given by the Government of Maharashtra? 

MSRDC was notified as Nodal agency. via Government Resolution (GR) dated 19.12.2009. The alignment was approved by the Government vide GR dated 29.12.2011. The administrative approval was sanctioned to implement the project vide GR dated 04.12.2017. Vide GR dated 03.10.2018 the approval to revised project Cost amounting to Rs. 11332.82 Crore was granted.

What is the VBSL project plan? 

Click here to see the map

What is the duration of the project? 

Approximately 5 years from  the date of appointment 24/06/2019.

Why did MSRDC select the option / alternative of constructing the Sea Link at a distance of approximately 900m from the shore 

MSRDC had conducted a detailed Pre-feasibility Report in the year 2009 by Consultant M/s. Consulting Engineering Services (India), Private Limited. Maharashtra Government Vide GR of 29/1/2011 approved the VBSL project as the most feasible alignment.  

Who are the contractors for  Through transparent online bidding process MSRDC has awarded the work to VBSL project?  

M/s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RIL -Indian Company) Joint Venture with M/s. Astaldi SpA (Italian Company) as the EPC contractor for the VBSL Project to implement the project on EPC basis. 

Has MSRDC published the project plans and guidelines as approved by Government and displayed it for public? 

Since 2011, MSRDC vide various consultations, presentations, meetings, site visits with the local communities shared all the project information from time to time The information has also been uploaded time to time by MSRDC on its website (www.msrdc.org) under RTI section. 

Is there any land reclaimed for the VBSL project? 

No such requirement exists as VBSL is completely sea based project.

Has MSRDC started any construction work on the project site of VBSLP 

MSRDC has started project work on project site from 24/06/2019. Up to 12/11/2020, 1.460% (76 piles and 6 pile cap) work is completed. To decide the design of the Sea Link various surveys and inspections are underway like Geotechnical survey, site survey, bathometric survey etc.

Has MSRDC destroyed trees/ Mangroves around the project site? 

No. MSRDC  has not destroyed trees/Mangroves around the project site. 

Is MSRDC or any of their appointed agency is planning to evacuate people residing / owning business around area of the VBSL project? 

No, such requirements exist as the structure is sea-based. 

What are the other infrastructure projects in the area around VBSL project? 

The Pumping station at Juhu Koliwada is under construction by BMC around the VBSL project; BMC is also constructing an approach  road towards the pumping station. 

Why is Versova Bandra sea Link chosen over the Coastal road? 

Feasibility study was undertaken in the year  2008, examined various alignment options including coastal road. The Versova Bandra Sea Link was found to be most feasible alignment option considering all the environmental and fishermen problems and is being implemented on EPC basis as per Government Resolution dated 04.12.2017 and 03.10.2018. 

PERMISSIONS FOR THE VBSL PROJECT

What are the necessary permissions required for the VBSL project and when were they received? 

The necessary permissions required and approvals received are as follows: 

Consent letter by Mumbai Maritime Board - 13.04.2012 

CRZ Clearance - 09.01.2013 and 07/02/2019 

State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) - 02.02.2017 

Transfer of Government land to MSRDC - Collector, Mumbai Suburban - 15.09.2018 

MPCB consent – 29.11.2018 

Airport Authority Clearance –   14.12.2018 

Forest approval – 20.12.2018 

Order of Bombay High Court dated 08/02/2019 to cut Mangroves  

According to the Hon. High Court order dated 08.02.2019, How many Mangroves can be cut for construction of VBSL project? 

Hon. High Court order dated 08.02.2019,  has granted permission to cut 1585 mangrove trees to implement the VBSL project. 

CONSULTATION MEETINGS 

Were consultations meetings were conducted by MSRDC for the community? 

Yes, since 2011 and till date several consultation meetings, presentations, site visits have been taken place with the fishermen community and shared all the information with them time to time. Their demands were also noted and considered for implementation while executing the work. 

CASTING YARD

What is casting yard 

A casting yard is a temporary place where concrete structures like segments, parapets, girders, beams and boundary wall panels etc. are manufactured.

The casting yard provides controlled production techniques, efficiency, quality control, and time savings in bridge construction. 

Where is the casting yard proposed? 

Total of 10.27 Hector of land is proposed for the Casting Yard at Malvani – Borivali Mumbai. The EPC Contractor of VBSL Project has started the use of the said land.

To reach the project, is there any alternative approach road  at Juhu-Koliwada 

MSRDC has proposed a new approach road for direct access to the casting yard through Gajdharband road behind BSNL office to eliminate the traffic problem in the existing narrow road of H. B. Gawade Marg. This approach road will give great relief to the local community as all the commercial heavy vehicles will commute through new Approach Road. 

CONCERNS OF FISHERMEN COMMUNITY 

What are the demands of  fishermen community accepted by MSRDC 

The following demands of the  fishermen community have been accepted by MSRDC- 

1. Developing small jetty and common area for repair of the fish nets and other  fishing related activities 

2. First preference to fishermen for employment during construction of the project as per the professional skills

3. First preference to fishermen boats for transportation of materials for construction 

4. Compensation for the project affected fishermen, if any , during the  construction phase

 Has MSRDC identified the people   affected by VBSL Project

No, however, the affected fishermen according to the degree of  the effect on their livelihood will be appropriately compensated according to the Government rules. To identify such people MSRDC has appointed the NGO – M/s. Red Dot Foundation.

Has MSRDC appointed any Committee to address the issues/complaints of Firshermen Community 

Yes. Government of Maharashtra vide GR of 07/02/2019 has approved the Consultative Committee to address the issues of Firshermen Committee.  This Committee will have 3 members of the Fishermen Community.

Who are the designated authorities involved in the project with contact nos.? 

Chief Engineer Ph.: - 022-26415831 

Superintending Engineer  Ph.:- 022-26517999 

Executive Engineer Ph.:- 022-26517909 

Email id.:- vbslp.msrdc@gmail.com