The first phase of Mumbai coastal road project (south), costing Rs 13,000 crore, is set to be inaugurated on February 19 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced BMC Commissioner I S Chahal. The inauguration will coincide with the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The initial phase will connect Worli and Marine Drive in the south-bound stretch, with the entire project linking Marine Drive and Bandra-Worli Sea Link expected to be operational by May 15.
During the inauguration event, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to flag off the trial run of the Aarey-BKC underground Metro 3 corridor, executed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. Additionally, he may perform the bhoomipujan for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) tunnel boring works.
Former Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray expressed concerns about attempts to open a partially completed coastal road ahead of elections.
BMC Commissioner Chahal, during a press conference following the BMC budget presentation, announced that the first phase of Andheri’s Gokhale bridge would open by February 25. The Gokhale bridge has been under construction since last year, having been demolished in November 2022.
Chahal emphasized that the coastal road project extends beyond south Mumbai, with ongoing works to extend the road to the northern end of the city. The tendering process is in progress, and the entire project is expected to be completed in about 48 months, including the monsoon season. The coastal road aims to decongest arterial routes like the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and S V Road, reducing travel time from Versova to Dahisar. The BMC has also initiated the construction of an elevated Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) connector from Mindspace Malad Junction on the Coastal Road to the starting point of GMLR in Goregaon East.