Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the initial segment of Mumbai’s coastal road, connecting Marine Drive to Worli, is set to become operational by the conclusion of January 2024.
Addressing a gathering, Shinde highlighted Maharashtra’s role as a growth engine, emphasising its leadership in hosting the highest number of infrastructure projects nationwide.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is overseeing the construction of the coastal road, designed to link the south Mumbai area of Marine Drive to Kandivali, a western suburb, via the existing Bandra Worli Sea Link. The project aims to alleviate northbound traffic congestion in Mumbai.
The inaugural phase of the project spans a distance of 10.58 kilometers, covering the stretch from Marine Drive to Worli in south Mumbai.
The second phase involves connecting Bandra Sea Link to Kandivali Junction.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Shinde provided an update on the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) project, indicating its anticipated completion by the end of this month.
He asserted that the MTHL project, extending from Sewri to Nhava Sheva, will enable citizens to traverse a distance of 22 kilometers in just 15 minutes, significantly reducing the current travel time of two hours.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is spearheading the implementation of the six-lane MTHL project, with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Shinde also highlighted the government’s commitment to reviving delayed projects since assuming power, underscoring their dedication to advancing crucial infrastructure initiatives in the region, reports Economic Times.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project
The first phase of the coastal road is being built by the BMC at an estimated cost of Rs 12,500 crore to speed up the suburban commute to and from South Mumbai.
Once completed, the ambitious coastal road project (phase 1) will add an 8.5 km long and 20-metre wide sea promenade to the city between Priyadarshini Park at Napean Sea Road and the Worli side of the Bandra Worli Sea Link.
BMC has envisaged a Mumbai Coastal Road Project –South (MCRP) along the Western Seafront of the city to decongest the existing roads.
In the first phase, this ambitious project intends to connect from Shamaldas Gandhi Marg (Princess Street Flyover, Marine Drive) in the South to Worli End of Bandra Worli Sea Link comprising a combination of coastal roads based on reclamation, tunnels, bridges/flyovers, elevated roads, interchanges, sea wall/break wall etc.
India’s largest 12.19-metre diameter tunnel is being constructed 20 metres below the shore of the Arabian Sea and 70 metres below the Malabar Hill has three lanes for transportation for south and northbound traffic.
One of the lanes is proposed to be reserved for emergency transport. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which is being used for building this tunnel has been named ‘Mavala’.
The objective of this project is to provide an alternate North-South Trunk route for the people of Mumbai which provides improved mobility to relieve the traffic congestion in Mumbai, enhances the environment and leads to the sustainable development of much-needed recreational public open spaces/greenery.
The coastal project is set to dramatically transform the coastline in South Mumbai, which has a long history of reclamation. Once complete, the road will extend the coast up to 100 metres inside the sea.