Coastal Road Saves Time and Fuel, and Frees Us from Pollution – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Northern Section of Mumbai Coastal Road Open for Public from Monday

Mumbai – The Northern Section of the Mumbai Coastal Road was inaugurated today by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in attendance. CM Fadnavis highlighted that the coastal road will significantly save time and fuel for Mumbaikars while playing a crucial role in reducing pollution.

The event was attended by Minister of Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Adv. Ashish Shelar; Minister of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, Mangal Prabhat Lodha; Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani; Chief Secretary to the CM Dr. Ashwini Bhide; Additional Municipal Commissioner Amit Saini; and Mumbai Suburban District Collector Rajendra Kshirsagar.

Speaking to the media, CM Fadnavis noted that 94% of the work on the Mumbai Coastal Road is complete, and today the Northern section has been inaugurated. This road, which will be dedicated to the public on Republic Day, opens on Monday, January 27, along with three additional inner road links. These include a route from Marine Drive to Prabhadevi, a link from Marine Drive to Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk, and another connecting Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk to the sea bridge and the Bandra direction.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the Northern section would bring significant change to the lives of Mumbai residents. He praised the international standard of technical work on the coastal road project.

The road’s median is being beautified, with CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde planting trees as part of the landscaping effort. This beautification is being handled by Tata Sons Limited & Affiliates.

Project Overview:

The inauguration of the Southern section of the Mumbai Coastal Road under the name “Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road” was also celebrated today. Traffic from Marine Drive towards the sea bridge will now be rerouted onto the Northern section of the bridge. Additionally, new inner road links from Marine Drive to Prabhadevi and Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk will open. The work also includes the link from Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk to the sea bridge, extending towards Bandra.

Traffic Situation: From March 12, 2024, to December 31, 2024, an estimated 5 million vehicles will travel, with an average of 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles daily.

The key phase of the project is the bridge connecting the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Worli-Bandra Sea Link. The bridge is 827 meters long and weighs 2,400 metric tons.

The Mumbai Coastal Road (South) project, spanning from the Shamal Das Gandhi Marg (Princess Street) flyover to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is 94% complete.

Project Benefits:

• Time savings of approximately 70%, fuel savings of 34%, contributing to foreign exchange savings.
• Reduction in noise and air pollution.
• Creation of 70 hectares of green space, including cycling tracks, public gardens, jogging tracks, and open-air auditoriums.
• Enhanced living standards for Mumbai residents.
• Introduction of marine protective walls, safeguarding the project from high waves and coastal erosion.

Project Features:

• The construction of India’s largest tunnel (12.19 meters in diameter) with the help of tunnel boring machinery.
• The use of SCARDO ventilation systems in road tunnels, a first in India.
• The innovative use of monolithic piers in bridge construction.
• Recycled construction methods for roads, bridges, elevated pathways, underpasses, and tunnels.
• The pioneering excavation and construction of tunnels beneath the sea tide areas, making it a first in India.
• Successful relocation of 90% of coral habitats.

Total Project Cost: ₹13,983 Crore.