As the Mumbai Coastal Road project nears completion, it promises to revolutionise urban connectivity along the western seafront, significantly enhancing daily commutes. This transformative infrastructure development is set to drastically reduce travel times between the iconic Marine Drive and Bandra, heralding a new era of urban mobility in Mumbai.
Despite its acclaim as an engineering marvel, the project has encountered numerous challenges over the past four years. A diverse workforce, ranging from daily wage workers to skilled engineers, has collectively worked towards bringing this ambitious project to fruition. Concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impact of the road’s construction, particularly the risk of irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and the potential exacerbation of coastal erosion. The local fishing community, in particular, has voiced strong opposition. In response, the civic body has agreed to widen the proposed navigation span to accommodate their boats, addressing some of their concerns.
The 10.58-km Coastal Road stretches from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL). Construction commenced in October 2018, with Larsen & Toubro and the Hindustan Construction Company and Hyundai Development Company joint venture securing the contract for this monumental project. One of the most significant challenges was connecting the Coastal Road with the BWSL. The initial girder launch, spanning 136 meters, faced delays in April due to adverse weather conditions. However, engineers successfully stabilised a 25,000-metric-tonne barge amidst challenging sea conditions and installed a massive 2,000-tonne ‘bowstring arch’ by 3:25 AM on April 26.
A major milestone was achieved on May 15 with the launch of a 143-meter girder weighing 2,400 metric tonnes. The construction of India’s largest bowstring arch girder began in October 2023, utilising prefabricated parts manufactured in Ambala, Haryana, and assembled at Mazgaon Dock in Nhava Port, Navi Mumbai. Despite ongoing challenges, engineers managed to stabilise the barge and successfully install both girders.
The northbound carriageway between Worli and Marine Drive opened for traffic on March 11, 2024, followed by the 6.25 km stretch between Marine Drive and Lotus Junction at Haji Ali on June 10, and from Haji Ali to Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road in Worli on July 11. “It is a proud moment to witness the nearing completion of this project during my tenure. With work in full swing, we anticipate linking the South arm of the Coastal Road with BWSL by August 15 and completing the remaining work by October. The construction company handling the Coastal Road has performed exceptionally well. They successfully resolved the leakage issue in the tunnel, which remained unaffected even during recent heavy rainfall,” said an official. Commuters are rejoicing as well.
An official at Biztory Solutions, who frequently commutes from the suburbs to Nariman Point, shared, “The coastal road has been a game-changer. Travelling from the suburbs to the city has become remarkably convenient and time-saving. I can now drive from home without worrying about traffic.” Taxi drivers have also welcomed the development. “People often assume traffic means more business for us,” said a kaali-peeli taxi driver. “But it’s exhausting for both drivers and passengers when delays occur. Thanks to the coastal road, I can now transport passengers from Worli to Marine Drive in just a few minutes. This efficiency not only saves time but also boosts my earnings.” Approximately 91% of the project has been completed. The South arm of the Coastal Road is slated to connect to the BWSL by August 15, with the North side following by October-end.
