Versova-Bandra Sea Link Reaches Farthest Point Into the Sea

Mumbai’s ambitious Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL) project has achieved a major construction milestone, reaching its farthest point—900 metres into the Arabian Sea—between Bandra and Juhu, officials familiar with the development said.

The sea link forms a key part of Phase 2 of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project and is officially named the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Sagari Setu. According to the Maharashtra government, the project has achieved 26% physical progress and is targeted for completion by December 2028.

Piling Work Underway, Cable-Stayed Bridges Taking Shape

Piling work for the offshore structure is currently in progress, while construction of cable-stayed bridges has commenced for four major connectors—Bandra, Carter Road, Juhu Koliwada and Versova. To support marine construction, ready-mix concrete plants have been installed on floating jetties at designated pillar locations.

Engineers on site said the project presents far greater challenges compared to earlier sea links. “Unlike the Atal Setu, which was built over a creek, this structure is being constructed directly over the sea. The wave activity is intense, and the seabed consists of hard volcanic rock mixed with clay, with several connectors passing over reefs,” an official said.

The depth for pillar installation varies between 15 and 30 metres, depending on terrain and structural requirements.

Strategic Connectivity for Mumbai’s Coastal Corridor

Once completed, the 25-kilometre-long VBSL will serve as a crucial connector linking multiple coastal road phases. To the south, it will integrate with the Nariman Point–Worli coastal road section and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, while to the north it will connect with the Versova–Kandivali–Bhayandar coastal road corridor.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the project had remained stalled for nearly a decade but has now gained momentum. “This project was stuck in discussions for years. Today, we have achieved 26% progress with a firm completion deadline,” he said.

Environmental Clearances and Engineering Challenges

The project is being executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and is designed with an expected lifespan of 100 years. Officials confirmed that permissions have been obtained for the removal of 1,585 mangroves, a necessary step for construction.

Climate variability has added to operational challenges. Engineers noted that transporting materials offshore can sometimes take two to three hours, despite the site being less than a kilometre from the shoreline, due to rough sea conditions.

Once operational, the Versova-Bandra Sea Link is expected to significantly reduce travel time along Mumbai’s western coastline and ease pressure on arterial roads, marking another major leap in the city’s evolving coastal infrastructure.