The northern section of the Mumbai Coastal Road is slated for completion by December 2028, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He made this announcement following an inspection of the ongoing construction work on the Versova-Dahisar stretch of the ambitious project.
Once fully operational, the Mumbai Coastal Road is expected to provide seamless connectivity from Nariman Point in South Mumbai to Bhayandar within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The northern section, which connects Versova to Bhayandar, is a crucial component of this infrastructure development. The southern section of the Coastal Road, linking Nariman Point with the Bandra Worli Sea Link, was already inaugurated and became operational in March 2024.
Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted that the completed Coastal Road would offer significant relief to Mumbai’s residents by establishing a signal-free route along the city’s western coastline. He noted that approximately 60 percent of Mumbai’s current traffic utilizes the Western Express Highway. The new coastal corridor aims to alleviate pressure on this major artery by providing an alternative, unimpeded passage from Nariman Point to Bhayandar.
The projected completion timeline for the entire project is by October-November or December 2028. This extensive project encompasses a 29.2-kilometer, toll-free, eight-lane expressway. Its development is designed to drastically reduce travel time, with estimates suggesting a reduction from over two hours to approximately 40 minutes for the entire stretch.
The Mumbai Coastal Road is recognized as one of the city’s most significant infrastructure initiatives, aimed at decongesting major arterial roads and enhancing overall transportation efficiency. Beyond its immediate impact on traffic flow, the state government also plans to develop the areas surrounding the Coastal Road into modern commercial hubs, drawing inspiration from the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) model.
Earlier in the year, on February 12, Chief Minister Fadnavis inaugurated a unique ‘Melody Road’ stretch between Amarsons Garden and Breach Candy on the southern part of the Coastal Road. This section features specially designed rumble strips that play the Oscar-winning song ‘Jai Ho’ as vehicles pass over them, a concept based on Hungarian technology. This feature is among only a few similar installations globally.
The Mumbai Coastal Road project involves substantial land reclamation from the sea, with a significant portion allocated for green spaces and recreational amenities. This ambitious undertaking underscores efforts to modernize Mumbai’s urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents through enhanced connectivity and planned urban development.
The Chenab Times News Desk