Mumbai News: Sea link bridge may open on Republic Day
Mumbai News: Sea link bridge may open on Republic Day
Deadline for completion of coastal Road project pushed to 2026
On Republic Day, the Coastal Road project is expected to reach another milestone with the opening of its second connector arm to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Additionally, three more interchange arms at Worli will become operational on the same day, increasing the total from one. These will connect Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk to Bandra and link the northbound Coastal Road carriageway to Prabhadevi.
By the end of February, the walkway and its public underpasses are expected to be completed, offering essential recreational spaces for the community. At present, the southbound lane from Worli to Marine Drive and the northbound lane from Marine Drive to Worli, leading to the Sea Link via the southbound route, are open for use. The main sections of the road have been opened in phases, starting with the southbound stretch from Worli to Marine Drive in March 2024, followed by the northbound section to Haji Ali in June.
In July, the stretch from Haji Ali to Worli became operational, and by September, the first connector arm from the Coastal Road to the Sea Link was inaugurated. However, many significant parts of the project are still under construction. Five interchange arms at Worli, two at Haji Ali, and several parking areas are yet to be finished. The parking facilities, including one each at Breach Candy and Haji Ali and two at Worli, are expected to be completed by 2026. The development of 70 hectares of open space on reclaimed land is still pending, with no clear start date available.
Current operations are blocked by inadequate infrastructure. The northbound and southbound lanes are open to general traffic from 7 AM to midnight every day. It seems unlikely that the road will have full 24/7 access in the near future. An official stated, “Meeting deadlines has been difficult due to numerous factors. However, each new section that opens brings the city’s western shoreline closer to a modern access-controlled highway that will provide a smoother journey.”
The project, which costs nearly Rs 14,000 crore and began in 2018, was originally expected to be completed by 2022. However, it has encountered delays due to legal issues, Covid lockdowns, and changes in design. As work continues, the completion deadline has now been pushed to 2026.
