Mumbai has unlocked full access to its Coastal Road, allowing uninterrupted vehicular movement round the clock. All bridges, tunnels, and underpasses along the newly completed stretch are now open, marking a significant milestone in the city’s push for improved mobility across its western corridor.
City officials confirmed that both north and south-bound carriageways are operational for four-wheelers and buses, with pending works completed to safety specifications. The decision also led to the closure of the temporary north-bound connector between Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road and the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, which had been used during partial operations but is no longer required. For Mumbai, the Coastal Road represents one of the most ambitious urban transport projects in recent years. Conceived as a high-speed connector easing pressure on arterial roads, the project promises reduced travel time, smoother access to business hubs, and a redefined commuting experience for lakhs of citizens.
Officials emphasised that the Coastal Road’s uninterrupted opening is not just a boost for mobility but also a step towards more efficient traffic management. By diverting significant volumes of cars and buses away from congested inner-city roads, the corridor is expected to ease bottlenecks and reduce emissions generated from long idling times in peak congestion zones. Transport analysts point out that the Coastal Road’s round-the-clock functioning will particularly benefit office commuters and long-distance travellers who earlier relied on unpredictable travel windows. The availability of continuous access brings Mumbai closer to global standards of expressway-style urban corridors, where seamless mobility is considered fundamental to economic productivity.
At the same time, sustainable mobility advocates caution that the Coastal Road must not be viewed in isolation. While it offers faster vehicle access, its long-term environmental impact depends on parallel investment in public transport. Encouraging higher bus utilisation on the corridor, alongside the city’s expanding metro network, can ensure that the project contributes to equitable and climate-conscious urban growth. Officials added that the Coastal Road has been engineered with safety features, modern signalling, and tunnel ventilation systems in line with international benchmarks. The complete operationalisation also underscores the city’s capacity to deliver complex infrastructure, even amidst urban density and environmental challenges.
For citizens, the immediate takeaway is a shorter and more reliable journey along Mumbai’s western edge. For the city, however, the Coastal Road symbolises the balancing act between catering to current vehicular demand and preparing for a sustainable, low-carbon future. The coming months will test whether this new infrastructure can be aligned with cleaner mobility choices, ensuring that faster connectivity does not come at the cost of environmental resilience.
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