Mumbai Expands Coastal Parking as Part of Sustainable Mobility Push
City officials have initiated the process of operationalising underground parking facilities developed under the Mumbai Coastal Road Project in a significant step toward addressing urban congestion and improving coastal infrastructure. Tenders have now been floated for managing two of the four parking structures, both located in Worli, with operations expected to begin by the end of July. With each facility designed to accommodate around 200 vehicles, this development marks an important milestone in the city’s efforts to blend smart infrastructure with eco-conscious urban planning.
The strategic placement of these facilities is aimed at easing traffic bottlenecks along prominent sea-facing roads, particularly near Worli and Haji Ali. Officials stated that mechanical and electrical works at the parking sites are nearing completion. Once ready, the infrastructure will be handed over to the relevant municipal ward office for day-to-day administration. The Bhulabhai Desai Marg and Haji Ali locations, which host significantly larger capacities, are also advancing in parallel. Collectively, the four facilities are set to offer parking for over 1,800 vehicles, with potential to alleviate roadside parking and improve coastal promenade accessibility. A notable revision has been made to the planned underground parking facility at Haji Ali, reflecting the growing demand for multimodal capacity. Originally designed for 1,200 cars, the structure will now be expanded to four levels, accommodating 1,069 cars and 70 buses. This redesign demonstrates a shift toward integrating bus bays and shared mobility zones within existing car-centric models.
According to officials, a new tender for the Haji Ali project will be released shortly, with the entire construction slated for completion within two years. These adaptive changes signal Mumbai’s evolving transportation vision, which increasingly factors in public transit and sustainable commuting needs. Meanwhile, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is supporting complementary efforts to reclaim and green 53 hectares of open space near the coastline. Developed under a Rs 400-crore funding programme, this public space enhancement aligns with broader Coastal Regulation Zone norms and judicial oversight. Experts believe that creating multifunctional urban zones—where green areas coexist with smart infrastructure—can reduce the city’s environmental footprint while improving urban quality of life. The landscaping plans, once approved, are expected to set a precedent for future coastal development that balances ecology with accessibility.
These underground parking projects, though infrastructural in nature, offer more than vehicle accommodation—they represent Mumbai’s shift toward integrated, carbon-efficient urban transport. As public and private stakeholders collaborate to reshape the coastal landscape, the focus remains on reducing congestion, promoting equitable access, and minimising surface-level disruptions. With climate resilience becoming central to city planning, Mumbai’s coastal parking strategy underscores the critical need for forward-looking, multifunctional, and people-centric design in India’s megacities.
