After a lengthy seven-year wait, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) has finally borne fruit, delivering significant time, cost, and fuel savings to commuters. The northbound carriage of the bow-string bridge, which connects the Coastal Road to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL), opened for vehicular traffic on Monday. This new route has been a major boon for motorists, slashing travel time between Bandra and Marine Drive to just 10-12 minutes and offering a much-needed, faster alternative for thousands of daily commuters.
Proposed in 2011 by former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan as a cost-effective alternative to an expensive sea link, the project has faced fierce opposition over the years. Environmental experts have raised alarms about potential disruptions to tidal circulation, possible harm to marine ecosystems, and the risk of exacerbating coastal erosion. The local fishing community had also voiced concerns over the project’s impact on their livelihoods. Nevertheless, the construction of the 10.58-km Coastal Road, stretching from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the BWSL, began in October 2018, overcoming these challenges.
Following the inauguration of the northbound carriage by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Republic Day, the coastal road is now open for vehicular traffic from 7 AM to 12 AM, significantly reducing travel time between Bandra and Marine Drive. Looking ahead, the two arms in Worli—connecting Prabhadevi to Bandra and Prabhadevi to Marine Drive—are expected to be completed by February. The 7.5-kilometer promenade from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Sea Link is set to be ready by May. Additionally, the development of median spaces and parking lots is projected to be completed by the end of 2025, while work on 70 hectares of open spaces is expected to take an additional two years, according to senior civic officials.
Kumar Verma, Director at Biztory Solutions, frequently commutes from the suburbs to Nariman Point. ‘I was caught in traffic on my way from the suburbs and was running late for a meeting in South Mumbai today. However, once I hit the Coastal Road, I was able to make up for lost time. In just 12 minutes, I went from the BWSL to Marine Drive, saving a lot of precious time. It was such a relief.’ Amit Desai, another commuter said, “The project may have several drawbacks, but for commuters saving time and fuel has been a game changer. Traveling from the suburbs to the city has become incredibly convenient and time-saving. I can now drive from home without the usual stress of traffic.’
MCRP: 10.58-km stretching from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the BWSL.
Cost – Rs. 14,000 crores.
Vehicle count on January 27
7 am to 6 pm (coastal road will be open till 12 am)
Bandra to Marine Drive – 21,639
Marine Drive to Bandra – 15,583
March 12 to December 31, 2024: 50 lakhs vehicles
Daily – 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles
