Mumbai Coastal Road inaugurated: Open to Public
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde officially inaugurated the first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road, connecting Worli to Marine Drive, on March 11. Described as an ‘engineering marvel’, the coastal road is set to transform travel times and enhance connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Key Features:
1. Project Scope: The 53-km-long coastal road project, initiated on October 13, 2018, will ultimately connect the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and extend up to Dahisar.
2. Travel Time Reduction: The southbound carriageway from Worli to Marine Drive, opened to the public at 8 am, reduces travel time significantly from 40 minutes to just 9 minutes.
3. Environmental Impact: BMC civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal highlighted the positive environmental impact, estimating an annual saving of nearly $100 million in carbon emissions through improved fuel efficiency.
4. Construction Cost: The coastal road, spanning 10.58 km with 16.5 km of interchanges, is being constructed at a cost of ₹14,000 crore.
5. Land Reclamation: The four-lane coastal road is a pioneering project, being constructed entirely on land reclaimed from the sea and standing on monopiles exclusively.
6. Twin Tunnels: The Mumbai Coastal Road includes a 2 km-long twin tunnel between Priyadarshini Park and Marine Drive, featuring three lanes each. The remaining stretch of the road will have four lanes on each carriageway.
Iqbal Singh Chahal shared plans for the coastal road to include 175 acres of coastal gardens developed over time.
Future Travel Time: Once fully completed, the project aims to reduce travel time between Nariman Point in South Mumbai to Kandivali in the suburbs from over 2 hours to less than 40 minutes.
The first phase, spanning 10.5 km inaugurated by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, benefits commuters from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange, Amarson’s interchange points, and Marine Lines.
Rules and Usage Guidelines:
1. Toll-Free: The Coastal Road is toll-free.
2. Speed Limits: The maximum speed limit on the Coastal Road is set at 80 kmph. Inside the tunnel, the speed limit is reduced to 60 kmph, and at turning and entry-exit points, it is 40 kmph.
3. Prohibited Vehicles: Heavy vehicles, trailers, mixers, tractors, heavy goods vehicles (excluding BEST and ST buses), passengers-carrying vehicles, and all goods carrier vehicles are prohibited. Additionally, pedestrians, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, hand-pulled carts, cycles, disabled persons’ motorcycles, and scooters (including sidecars) are restricted.
4. Prohibited Actions: Stopping vehicles, getting out of vehicles, taking pictures, and recording videos are strictly prohibited.
As the Mumbai Coastal Road opens its first phase, it marks a significant milestone in the city’s infrastructure development, offering improved connectivity, reduced travel times, and enhanced environmental sustainability. The project’s second phase is expected to be completed by May 2024, contributing to the ongoing growth and transformation of Mumbai’s transportation network.
