MUMBAI, June 26 -- The Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSl) will get a fifth connector, this one linking Bandstand in Bandra west to the sea bridge, which is part of the northern arm of the Mumbai Coastal Road. The connector, which will connect with the sea link near the Bandra fort, will measure 3.55 km and cost Rs.1,722.40 crore. The plan was cleared by the cabinet committee on infrastructure on Thursday. The project will be executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Anil Gaikwad, managing director of MSRDC, said that VBSL has four connectors: near the Bandra toll plaza at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link; near Otter's Club on Carter Road in Bandra west; at Juhu Koliwada and in Versova. He said the fifth connector would benefit residents of Bandstand and surrounding areas. "At present, Bandra Reclamation and Lilavati Hospital is very crowded during peak hours and now this can be avoided," the MSRDC managing director told Hindustan Times. Gaikwad said clearance from the state environment department and Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority would be sought before tenders are floated. Meanwhile, work on the VBSL is proceeding at a sluggish pace, officials said. The deadline for completion of the project is 2028....