In a significant development ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal announced on Thursday that the south-bound corridor of the Mumbai Coastal Road, connecting Worli to Marine Drive, is scheduled to be opened for traffic on Monday, March 11. This announcement comes after a thorough inspection of the project by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier in the day.
The Coastal Road project, initiated on October 13, 2018, with an estimated cost of Rs 12,721 crore, is a major infrastructural undertaking aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity along the city’s coastline. Chief Minister Shinde, during his inspection, revealed plans for a sprawling 320-acre Central Park along the ‘Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road,’ adding a green touch to the urban development initiative.
The first phase of the opening will cover a 10.5-kilometer-long stretch, allowing motorists to access the coastal road from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange, and Amarson’s interchange points, with exits available at Marine Lines. While Mumbai police are set to announce the maximum permissible speed on the road soon, initial travel speeds will be restricted due to ongoing construction work on the remaining portion of the Coastal Road.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reports that over 75 percent of the entire project is already complete, marking a substantial milestone in the ambitious undertaking. Notably, the 2 km-long twin tunnels between Priyadarshini Park and Marine Drive have completed the boring work, with each tunnel featuring three lanes. The remaining stretch of the Coastal Road will consist of four lanes on each carriageway.
As the south-bound corridor opens on Monday, Mumbai residents can anticipate a significant improvement in coastal connectivity, offering not only a faster commute but also a scenic route along the Arabian Sea. The project’s progress is expected to be closely monitored, with the remaining construction slated for completion in the near future.
