The completion of the Dharamveer Swaraj Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Mumbai Coastal Road, a flagship infrastructure project valued at INR 13,000 crore, has encountered significant delays owing to adverse weather conditions. The project, which promises to revolutionise Mumbai’s transport network with its 10.58 km high-speed corridor, was initially slated for a phased completion in the latter half of 2024.
Currently, the operational stretch of the coastal road extends from Marine Drive to Worli, with vehicular traffic permitted only on weekdays between 7 am and 11 pm. The final phase of this ambitious project involves connecting this segment with the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) via a bow-string bridge, whose pillars are strategically placed in the Arabian Sea. The ongoing process of girder launching from the sea has been impeded by high tidal waves, complicating the construction schedule.
According to an official who wished to remain anonymous, the adverse weather has delayed the launching of three girders required for the northbound arm of the bridge. Although the girders for the southbound arm are being installed, essential tasks such as bitumen-laying and waterproofing on the newly constructed roads remain incomplete. A clear weather window of approximately 15 days is deemed necessary to finalise these pending works. Officials have now revised the project’s timeline, with expectations set for the entire coastal road to become operational by the end of December.
Specifically, the southbound arm linking the BWSL and coastal road from Worli is anticipated to be ready by October, and the northbound arm by the end of November. The completion of ancillary tasks, including the installation of traffic signages and lighting, could extend the final operational date to mid-December.
The administration is contemplating an early partial opening of the coastal road from the sea link as soon as the southbound bridge segment is completed in October. However, this move may lead to potential traffic congestion at the sea link exits, prompting the authorities to deliberate further on its feasibility. The Dharamveer Swaraj Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Mumbai Coastal Road is part of a larger infrastructure initiative designed to provide seamless connectivity from Marine Drive to Dahisar, transforming the city’s coastal landscape and traffic dynamics.
