Bandra to Marine Drive in 10 Minutes: Exploring Mumbai's Coastal Road

Photo: PTI

The much-awaited northbound bridge, connecting the Mumbai Coastal Road with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, opened to the public on Monday. This new development is set to ease travel issues for Mumbaikars by cutting down traffic congestion. The new bridge includes three interchanges that will help people reach areas like Worli, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, and Lotus Junction more easily.

The bridge will be open every day from 7 am to 12 midnight, and it is expected to reduce travel time from Bandra to Marine Drive to just 10 to 15 minutes.

What is the Mumbai Coastal Road Project?

The Mumbai Coastal Road is part of the city's master plan from 1967. Construction on the project began in 2018, but it faced delays, especially due to the pandemic. Initially expected to finish by 2022, the project is now complete in its first phase, costing around Rs 14,000 crore.

The first phase of the Coastal Road stretches over 10.58 kilometers, connecting the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. This part of the road features 4+4 lanes and includes several modern infrastructure features, such as a bridge on stilts, an elevated road, and twin tunnels. There are also interchanges located at key places like Amarsons Garden, Haji Ali, and Worli Seaface to help improve the traffic flow.

Key Features of the Coastal Road

One of the most exciting features of this project is India’s first undersea tunnel, which is already in use. The twin tunnels are 12.19 meters in diameter and run between 17 to 20 meters below sea level. They stretch 2.07 kilometers starting from Girgaon (just before Marine Drive), going under the Arabian Sea, Girgaon Chowpatty, and Malabar Hill, and ending at Priyadarshini Park in Breach Candy.

In addition to the undersea tunnel, the Coastal Road project includes a new 827-meter-long northbound bridge. The bridge is divided into two parts—699 meters over the sea and a 128-meter access road. One impressive feature of the bridge is the 143-meter-long, 27-meter-wide, and 31-meter-high “Bow Arch String Girder,” which weighs about 2,400 metric tons.

Plans for More Green Spaces and Protection

The Mumbai Coastal Road project also plans to create nearly 70 hectares of green space. This area will have cycle tracks, public parks, jogging tracks, and open auditoriums for Mumbaikars to enjoy. Additionally, there are plans for a sea protection wall to prevent erosion and protect the road from strong sea waves.

The second phase of the project, which is currently under construction, spans 20 kilometers between Versova and Dahisar. Once completed, the Coastal Road will reduce the travel time between Girgaon and Worli, cutting the 45-minute commute down to just 10 minutes. It will also save time for people traveling from south Mumbai to the airport.

Traffic Numbers and Benefits for Mumbaikars

Since its partial opening in March 2024, more than 50 lakh vehicles have used the Coastal Road, with an average of 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles using the route daily.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the Coastal Road will save a lot of time and fuel, benefiting Mumbaikars while helping reduce pollution in the city.

As of now, 94 percent of the work on the Coastal Road is complete. Once the Prabhadevi connector is finished in February, the entire project will be open for use by Mumbaikars.

This exciting new development promises to make commuting in Mumbai easier and faster, while also adding new recreational spaces for the city’s residents.

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