Mumbais New Underpass to Enhance Traffic Flow and Lower Urban Congestion

Mumbai is on the brink of a significant milestone with the nearing completion of its only vehicular underpass under the ambitious Coastal Road project. The 550-metre-long and 11-metre-wide underpass, set to be operational by early May 2025, promises to be a game-changer for the city’s traffic.

This state-of-the-art tunnel will provide seamless access for vehicles travelling from Dadar and Prabhadevi directly to the Mumbai Coastal Road, which has long been a dream for city planners aiming to decongest one of Mumbai’s busiest corridors. The underpass represents a critical development in Mumbai’s urban infrastructure, offering a direct route to the Coastal Road without the need to navigate existing interchanges at Worli or Haji Ali. For southbound traffic, this new route will allow vehicles to bypass these notorious chokepoints, leading to faster travel times for daily commuters. Cars and buses from Dadar and Prabhadevi will now be able to enter the Coastal Road directly at J K Kapur Chowk, and exit at Bindoo Madhav Thackeray Chowk near Worli Sea Face, streamlining traffic and making the journey more efficient.

The tunnel is strategically designed to complement upcoming connectivity projects, most notably the 4.5-km Sewri-Worli connector, which will further enhance Mumbai’s transport network. Once this connector is completed, motorists from the eastern suburbs will be able to seamlessly merge onto the Coastal Road, bypassing traditional detours. The ramp of the connector will end near J K Kapur Chowk, ensuring smooth access to the underpass and a continuous flow of traffic into the heart of the city. One of the most notable features of this new infrastructure is its dual-directional design, allowing drivers to either head northwards towards Bandra via the elevated bridge or continue south towards Marine Drive and Nariman Point. This flexible route design is expected to ease congestion at key junctions such as RJ Thadani Chowk, which has often been a bottleneck for motorists travelling along the western coastline. The new underpass will therefore provide multiple options for commuters, significantly reducing pressure on these busy intersections.

As the opening date draws closer, final tasks like the installation of lane dividers, street lights, and wall surfacing are nearly complete, with structural works already finished. The underpass will primarily serve southbound traffic from Dadar and Prabhadevi, though it’s part of a larger plan to improve connectivity for the city as a whole. Once open, it will play a crucial role in Mumbai’s goal to modernise its transport infrastructure while easing urban congestion, which has long plagued the city. In addition to improving traffic flow, the underpass will also contribute to environmental sustainability. By diverting traffic from overburdened routes like Worli and adjoining areas, it is expected to reduce vehicular emissions, helping to alleviate some of the city’s severe air pollution problems. This aligns with the broader vision of the Coastal Road project, which aims not only to enhance connectivity but also to create a more eco-friendly, sustainable urban environment.

This underpass is a vital part of the Coastal Road project’s 10.58-km stretch, which includes India’s first undersea tunnel and various pedestrian underpasses. The phased rollout of this multi-modal infrastructure plan is designed to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and ease congestion, making Mumbai’s roadways more efficient and future-proof. As this ambitious project continues to take shape, the underpass marks a crucial step in transforming Mumbai’s urban landscape, bringing us closer to the goal of a more connected, sustainable city.

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Mumbais New Underpass to Enhance Traffic Flow and Lower Urban Congestion