Almost 10 months after the BMC awarded work orders for the second phase of the Versova-Bhayander coastal road project, the civic body received one of the mandatory permissions—the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance. While this marked a key step forward, several critical approvals were still pending, including those from the Forest Department, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and the high court. The Versova Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) & Dahisar Bhayander Link Road (DBLR) were proposed to link Versova to Bhayander.
A senior BMC official mentioned that these approvals were complex and that it was anticipated they would take time. He explained that there was a clause in the project allowing six months for obtaining clearances before the project work could commence. He expressed hope that permissions from the MMB and the HC would be obtained soon, while the MoEF&CC clearance from the Forest Department might take some more time.
Regarding the proposed VDLR, it was noted that the 22-km alignment would include roads on land, elevated sections, roads on stilts, a cable-stayed bridge, and a cut-and-cover tunnel beneath a creek.
