The initial one km segment of the planned 8.5 km-long seaside promenade, part of the coastal road project, is expected to be completed by 15 December.
The 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.
Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project is constructed in two phases. Phase 1 of the Mumbai coastal road project is a 10.58-kilometre stretch from Marine Drive to Worli. The second phase involves connecting the Bandra Sea Link to Kandivali Junction.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has envisaged a Mumbai Coastal Road Project –South (MCRP) along the Western Seafront of the city to decongest the existing roads.
The construction, undertaken by the BMC’s coastal road department, has commenced towards the Worli end and will be replicated along the entire stretch.
Once finished, this 20 metre-wide promenade will surpass Marine Drive’s 3.6 km and include features such as a bicycle track, an open-air theatre, and an underground car park. The car park’s completion, however, might coincide with the overall completion of the coastal road project.
An official mentioned, “The pilot stretch of one km should be ready by 15 December. Upon completion, we plan to replicate it across the entire stretch, pending approvals from senior authorities,” reports Times Of India.
Delays in the pilot stretch arose due to issues with the granite stone intended for construction, leading to the procurement of a new sample.
Construction of the coastal road, initiated in December 2018 along the western coastline, was initially targeted for completion by November 2023 but has been rescheduled for 2024.
Approximately 82 per cent of the project has been completed, including one of the twin tunnels. While the road in that tunnel is laid, ongoing works include lighting and utility box installations.
The BMC recently announced the potential opening of one carriageway to motorists by February 2024, with the entire road expected to be ready by May 2024.
Delays were attributed to adjustments in the navigation span between piers, requested by Worli fishermen, extending it from the proposed 56 metre to 120 metre.
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.