Mumbai Coastal Road Slashes Bandra-Marine Drive Travel to 12 Minutes
After seven years of anticipation, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) has partially opened, bringing significant benefits to commuters in the city. The northbound carriage, connecting the Coastal Road to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL), was inaugurated on Republic Day by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This new stretch reduces travel time between Bandra and Marine Drive to just 10–12 minutes, offering a faster, stress-free alternative for thousands of motorists.
Proposed in 2011 as a cost-effective solution to Mumbai’s growing traffic woes, the project has faced environmental concerns and challenges from the fishing community. Experts raised alarms about potential harm to tidal circulation, marine ecosystems, and coastal erosion, while local fishermen voiced concerns over their livelihoods. Despite these hurdles, construction began in October 2018, culminating in the completion of the 10.58-km stretch from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the BWSL. The road is open from 7 AM to 12 AM, and initial data highlights its popularity. On January 27, nearly 37,000 vehicles traversed the road—21,639 northbound and 15,583 southbound. Commuters like Kumar Verma and Amit Desai praise the time savings and convenience.
Verma shared, “I made it from Bandra to Marine Drive in 12 minutes, saving precious time.” Desai echoed this sentiment, highlighting the fuel savings and stress-free travel experience. Looking ahead, more features of the Coastal Road are expected soon. Two arms in Worli, connecting Prabhadevi to Bandra and Marine Drive, will be completed by February 2025. Additionally, a 7.5-km promenade from Priyadarshini Park to the Sea Link is slated for May, with work on median spaces, parking lots, and open spaces projected to finish by 2027. Costing ₹14,000 crores, the Coastal Road is already revolutionising commutes, with a daily vehicle count of 18,000–20,000 and over 50 lakh vehicles recorded between March and December 2024. For a city notorious for its traffic, the MCRP offers a glimpse of a faster, more efficient future.
