A proposed additional exit on the Coastal Road at Nepean Sea Road has been halted following a refusal from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which owns the land intended for the project.
The exit, which was sought by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ease traffic congestion, was seen as a vital solution for residents grappling with increased road traffic. However, MSRDC has made it clear that the land in question is designated for other uses and cannot be made available for the new exit.
This development was confirmed by municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who stated that while an official response from MSRDC is still pending, the corporation has orally informed BMC that the proposal is not feasible. A senior MSRDC official reiterated that the land earmarked for the exit cannot be repurposed, as it is required for other critical projects.
The idea of an additional exit gained momentum following a petition from the residents of Breach Candy, who had expressed their concerns over the growing traffic on narrow streets due to the newly opened Coastal Road interchange at Amarsons. The petition, which gathered over 2,500 signatures, underscored the urgency of easing congestion and improving the traffic flow in the region. In response to these concerns, BMC approached MSRDC in January 2025, requesting access to the land near Priyadarshini Garden on Nepean Sea Road to facilitate the new exit.However, despite the apparent need for the project and the backing from local residents, MSRDC has declined the request, citing that the land serves other purposes. An official from the Coastal Road department noted that BMC had been hopeful about a positive outcome, having already engaged AECOM, an infrastructure consulting company, to conduct a feasibility study for the exit.
However, with MSRDC’s rejection, the plans have been stalled.A BMC official, undeterred by MSRDC’s decision, indicated that further discussions will be held with the corporation in the coming days. “Although MSRDC has refused us access to the land, we will continue to engage with them and explore the next course of action,” the official said. However, if MSRDC maintains its stance, the prospects of adding an exit to alleviate traffic congestion in the area may remain a distant dream.The refusal comes as a significant setback, particularly for the residents who had advocated for the exit as a remedy for the sudden surge in traffic caused by the Coastal Road project. As BMC looks for alternative solutions, it is clear that the lack of public land remains one of the key obstacles in planning infrastructure improvements for the city.
The official from the Coastal Road department explained that the exit was initially not part of the project due to the absence of available public land and the complications of land acquisition processes.This setback highlights the challenges faced in urban infrastructure development, where balancing the needs of the public with land use regulations often creates roadblocks. The ongoing discussion between MSRDC and BMC will likely determine whether any alternative solutions can be found or if the proposal will be permanently shelved.As Mumbai continues to grow and evolve, the need for efficient traffic management and infrastructural upgrades remains pressing. Whether this proposed exit plan will move forward or be abandoned will have lasting implications for the city’s transportation landscape.
