The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday approved a change in alignment of the Sewri-Worli Connector project, drastically reducing the rehabilitation and resettlement costs from Rs 5,200 crore to only Rs 110 crore. The original alignment of the project was set to impact 19 buildings and displace approximately 392 individuals, including 286 residents and 106 non-residents, with an estimated rehabilitation and resettlement cost of around Rs 5200 crore. However, the change in alignment affects only two buildings and about 77 individuals (58 residents and 19 non-residents), significantly lowering the cost. According to MMRDA sources, the railway flyover at Elphinstone has undergone a significant alignment change, leading to major updates in construction plans and reducing both costs and the number of affected residents. The realignment positions the railway over-bridge (ROB) along the regular line of the municipal corporation, resulting in the first level of the railway boundary. Consequently, the construction of the ROB and both approaches will replace the existing approach roads, with approved plans for the elevated road at the second level and the General Arrangement Drawing. The 4.5-km long and 17-m wide Sewri-Worli Connector, currently under construction, will connect the MTHL Sewri Interchange on the east side of Sewri railway station to Narayan Hardikar Road on the Worli west side. Originally estimated at Rs 1,051.86 crore, work on the connector began in January 2021 with a target completion date of January 2024, which has already been missed. The Sewri-Worli Connector project is crucial for providing signal-free connectivity between Mumbai’s east and west and is part of the newly launched Mumbai Trans Harbour Link’s traffic dispersal system. The completion of this project will enhance the functionality of the Atal Setu and improve traffic flow.
