MUMBAI, July 31 -- The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has given its approval to the Uttan-Virar sea link project, to be built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The BJP-led Mahayuti government is fast-tracking the project to enhance connectivity to the Vadhavan port mega-project in Palghar. The proposed sea link will feature three connectors, at Uttan in Thane district, and Vasai and Virar in Palghar district, was submitted to the MCZMA on April 9 and was cleared on July 11. State environment secretary Jayashree Bhoj said the proposal would now be placed before the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for approval. The sea link's connectors will claim 15.39 hectares of forest land covered in mangroves, in addition to 2.5 hectares of reserved forest land, in the eco-sensitive zone of the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. MMRDA will also acquire 208.6 hectares of private land. MMRDA documents reveal 9,075 trees will be impacted by sea link's connectors. Of these, 1,868 will be axed, 1,612 will be transplanted and 5,595 will be retained. They also show that 8.71 hectares of mangroves will be impacted by the Uttan connector and 6.68 hectares by the Virar connector. The 24.25-km-long sea bridge from Uttan to Virar will run parallel to the coast, at a distance of 1 km. It includes three connectors to improve regional access - the 9.32-km long Uttan (Mira-Bhayandar) connector, starting at an interchange near Uttan beach and connecting to Mira-Bhayandar via the main road near Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose ground. The Vasai connector will be 2.5 km long, connecting the sea link to an interchange at Way Side Amenities. The Virar connector is an 18.95-km extension to Virar, starting near Arnala beach....