Mumbai – The city that never sleeps, the New York City of India. The flurries of colours that grace the pavements during the day, only shine brighter at the night under the blazing city lights. The street vendors holler competitively, hoping to grab the attention of the bustling population before the other. The food and chaat display more colours than an artist’s palette.
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If you were to stand still just for a second, you will be able to feel the adrenaline-charged city air urging you to get moving. The city will continue to power forward be it rains or a terror attack. Mumbai’s energy is never-ending just like its traffic – the nightmare of every commuter is to spend 3 hours for a 15-minute journey. Well, you can’t change the city, but you can try to lessen the density of city traffic. And that is how the Mumbai Coastal Road Project came into action.
Mumbai Coastal Road Overview
The Mumbai Coastal Road is a 22.2-kilometre (13.8 miles) long freeway that will connect the western coastline of Mumbai to the northern region of Kandivali. This coastal road route is currently under construction. It is projected that the coast road project will reduce the travel time between South Mumbai to the Western Suburbs of over 130,000 daily commuters from 2 hours to 40 minutes. The project was given an estimated cost of 30,692 crore rupees. It is set to be completed by July 2023. Believe it or not, the plans for this road project began in 1962 with the study of transportation in Mumbai by Wilbur Smith and Associates. Over the years, the project slowly began to take form, and finally, in 2011, the plan was solidified by the Maharashtra Chief minister and in 2012, the study to build the coastal freeway began. The coastal road to Kandivalli was planned to be constructed on reclaimed land including stilts, tunnels, and bridges. After a lot of ups and downs, the state government signed a contract with the Dutch government for technical cooperation for the project and in June 2015, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project was given the thumbs up from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests; the final clearance was given in May 2017. On December 16, 2018, the foundation stone was laid at Amarsons Garden in Cumbala Hill. The first payment for the project was 25 crore rupees, the outstanding amount is to be paid as the project progresses. The project will be completed in two parts. check out Flats for rent on Mumbai Coastal Road.
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Mumbai Coastal Road Phase 1
The 9.98 Kilometre Phase 1 of the Coastal Road plan runs from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Lines to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL). The contracts for this phase were distributed in four packages in October 2018.
Mumbai Coastal Road Phase 2
Mumbai Coastal Road Phase 2, will cover 19.22 kilometres connecting The Bandra end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Kandivali. It will be overseen by the MSRDC.
What are the three different 3 civil packages Mumbai Coastal Road Project comprises?
The 29.2-km Mumbai coastal road, estimated to cost Rs 12,000 crore, will be connecting the Marine Lines in the south of the city to the western Kandivali suburban areas. The road project is envisioned as a series of tunnels, roads on reclaimed land, roads on stilts and bridges with interchanges planned at strategic locations for dispersal of traffic. Mumbai The Mumbai Coastal Road project will be completed as per the decided deadline of November 2023 as the construction of the 10.58 km long coastal road is on track, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement to the press. Three major civil packages were announced for the construction of the Mumbai coastal road which was bagged by Larsen & Toubro, HCC- Hyundai JV and Reliance Infra.
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Larsen & Toubro
L&T has announced that its heavy civil infrastructure vertical has won orders worth Rs 7,489 crore, which includes two packages (1 and 4) of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project developed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, The Hindu Business Line has reported.
Package 1 involves the construction of a 3.82-km long 8-lane highway (See Mumbai coastal road map above) over reclaimed land from Priyadarshini Park to Baroda Palace, including interchanges at Amerson Garden and Haji Ali. The Haji Ali interchange will be a multilevel interchange inside Haji Ali Bay, providing connectivity to the existing Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road.
Package 4 involves the construction of a 3.93-km stretch of coastal road from Princess Street Flyover to Priyadarshini Park. The scope of work includes the construction of up and down ramps from Marine Drive connecting to the underground road (twin) tunnel which will pass below Girgaum Chowpatty, Malabar Hills and exit at Priyadarshini Park connecting to the Package 1 of the project.
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HCC- Hyundai JV
In its filing with the regulator Bombay Stock Exchange, HCC confirmed that it has been awarded a Rs 2,126-crore package as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. The contract work includes the design and construction of roads, bridges, and interchanges including reclamation and associated works between Baroda Palace near Haji Ali and the Worli end of Bandra Worli Sea Link. HCC had earlier executed the Bandra Worli Sea Link project.
Reliance Infra
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has already awarded Reliance Infrastructure which bid ₹7,000 crores for the 17-km-long sea link from Bandra to Versova, which is another key component of the total coastal road project.
Mumbai Coastal Highway: Fast Facts
- The Coastal Road is an 8-line freeway, currently under construction.
- The Mumbai Coastal Road will be the city’s longest promenade, replacing the iconic Marine Drive in the South of Mumbai.
- It is set to run along Mumbai’s Western Coastline for 22.2 kilometres to carry 130,000 daily commuters and travellers by the mid of July 2023.
- The cost of the project is approximately 30,692 crore rupees.
- The Mumbai Coastal Road Project will commence in two phases.
- It is also known as the Western Freeway.
- The project is currently under the ownership of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) / Municipal of Greater Mumbai.
- The walkway is said to be constructed on about 96.87 lakh sq. ft. of reclaimed land.
- Out of that, 22% of the area will be used in the construction of the Coastal Road.
- The remaining 78% will be used for public amenities like playgrounds, gardens, cycling tracks, washrooms, and other seating areas.
Unleashing Mumbai’s Potential: Benefits of Mumbai Coastal Road Project
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most significant benefits of the Mumbai Coastal Road project.
- Reduces Travel Time: The Mumbai Coastal Road Project connects major areas of Mumbai, making it easier for people to commute. The road runs parallel to the western coast of Mumbai and covers a distance of 29.2 km. This reduces travel time significantly, especially during peak hours.
- Improves Air Quality: Mumbai is known for its high levels of air pollution, which is a major concern for the health of its residents. The Coastal Road Project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the city.
- Boosts Real Estate: The Coastal Road Project is expected to increase the demand for real estate in Mumbai’s coastal areas. The coastal project has already attracted major real estate developers who are investing in projects along the coastal road.
- Creates Employment Opportunities: The project has created several employment opportunities in the construction sector. It is also expected to boost tourism, thereby creating job opportunities in the hospitality industry.
Top Mumbai Localities Along the Coastal Road
The Mumbai Coastal Road project is expected to have a significant impact on the real estate sector in Mumbai.
It will not only improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion but will also increase the value of properties along the route. In this section, we will explore some of the major localities that are situated along the Mumbai Coastal Road.
- Marine Drive: One of the most iconic locations in Mumbai, Marine Drive is a major tourist attraction. It is also one of the most expensive localities in Mumbai, with several luxury residential properties and hotels.
- Worli Sea Face: Worli Sea Face is a popular promenade in Mumbai, known for its scenic views of the Arabian Sea. It is home to several high-end residential and commercial properties.
- Bandra: Bandra is one of the most popular residential and commercial areas in Mumbai. It is known for its nightlife, shopping malls, and restaurants. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a major bridge in Mumbai, connects Bandra to Worli.
- Juhu: Juhu is a coastal suburb in Mumbai, known for its popular Juhu Beach. It is home to several high-end residential properties, hotels, and restaurants.
- Versova: Versova is a fast-developing locality in Mumbai, known for its vibrant nightlife and popular Versova Beach. It is also home to several Bollywood celebrities.
The Mumbai Coastal Road connects all these major localities and offers a seamless travel experience for commuters. It is expected to boost the real estate industry and create several job opportunities in the hospitality and construction sectors.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Current Status and Project Completion date
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project was originally set to be completed by October of 2022 but the completion date ended up being delayed due to the global pandemic outbreak. The new estimate given is July 2023. At present, about 20% of the construction has been completed by the BMC contrary to the 30% expected. It is estimated that 55% of the work will be completed by December 2021 and 85% by December 2022.
Construction Timeline of Mumbai Coastal Road
Phase 1 of the construction of the Mumbai Coastal Road commenced in October 2018 after getting approval from the BMC. The project is estimated to be completed in about four years. The project was delayed several years because it could not get clearance. One of the main reasons for that was that the rough estimates for the project continued to change, going higher and higher each time. The initial amount mentioned was 6,000 crore rupees. But within a year, it doubled to 12,000 crore rupees. The drastic inflation was blamed on the increased fuel prices, the biodiversity reserve as per the guidelines provided by the Environment Ministry, and just the overall economic inflation in the country.
According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), the Reclamation of land is not permitted in India. So, the project had to be shelved until those norms were relaxed.
The project ran into hot water with the Union Environment Minister in 2013, who expressed his concerns regarding the effects of the reclamation of land on the ecology of nature in Mumbai. This was countered by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) when they claimed that the reclamation of land will help in reducing inland flooding.
The state government signed a contract with the Dutch government in June 2015, to collaborate on this project as they have found an efficient and eco-friendly method of reclamation of land. The same month, the project received its clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Mumbai Coastal Road is a dream project that will further amplify the beauty of the city. And with a partial solution for its traffic problem, it gives leeway to more residents and investors making it one of the best places to live. If you wish to buy a house or even rent a house along the coastal road, now would be a good time.
This is a strategic location to live in as the issues of connectivity and commute would be solved by the project.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Challenges in Development
Though the aims of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project are lofty, the project has come under the scrutiny of critics from various parts of society. Some feel that the fishing community of Mumbai will be left struggling for a livelihood because the reclamation work near Priyadarshini Park will affect the quality of marine life. Another criticism comes from the ‘Bandra Collective’ a community of urban planners and architects who feel that the Coastal road project will take over the city’s skyline, and turn into an eyesore.
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FAQs
Q1. How long is the coastline of Greater Mumbai?
Ans. The coastline of Greater Mumbai stretches continuously for a total of 167 Kilometres.
Q2. What is a coastal road project in Mumbai?
Ans. It is an 8-lane, 22.2-Kilometre-long freeway that is set to be constructed along the Greater Mumbai coastline.
Q3. Why are we building a freeway in Mumbai?
Ans. The freeway is built to accommodate the city’s ever-present traffic problem and to reduce the time taken to commute from The Marine Lines to Kandivali.
Q4. When will the Coastal Road be completed?
Ans. Initially, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project was supposed to be completed by October 2022. Then the global pandemic happened and the date of completion was pushed back to July 2023.
Q5. Is the coastal road project cancelled?
Ans. No. The Coastal Road Project ran into a lot of legal trouble before it even began. But they were all cleared up before the commencement of construction. It was again delayed due to the Corona Virus Global Pandemic.
