Coastal Road Linking Marine Drive to Worli to Open on Monday

The much-anticipated undersea tunnel, forming a vital segment of the Mumbai Coastal Road between the iconic Marine Drive and Worli, is slated for inauguration on Monday.

Constructed at a whopping cost of ₹13,983.83 crore, the undersea tunnel is anticipated to significantly slash commuting time, reducing it from the current 45 minutes to a mere 8 minutes. The coastal road will allow a maximum speed of 80 kmph, initially averaging at 60 kmph.

Spanning across 111 hectares of reclaimed land, the undersea tunnel boasts 70 hectares of recreational open spaces and lush green areas. These recreational zones are designed to feature jogging and cycle tracks, a butterfly garden, and dedicated play areas for children.

Equipped with a 7.50-km promenade and a 7.47-km sea wall, the undersea tunnel incorporates the state-of-the-art India Saccardo Ventilation System, a first in the country's road transport tunnel infrastructure. Constructed atop monopile foundations, the tunnels were bored using India's largest diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the overseeing civic body, emphasized the significance of the coastal road in enhancing connectivity between Mumbai's Southern and Northern parts. Anticipating a whopping 70% reduction in commuting time and up to 34% fuel savings for motorists, the coastal road features dedicated bus lanes aimed at alleviating traffic congestion on existing routes.

Furthermore, the tunnel serves as a shield against coastal erosion, storm surges, and floods, featuring a robust sea wall constructed using natural materials such as rock boulders and armor rock to foster marine fauna growth, as per BMC statements.

The Coastal Road initiative is poised to revitalize the rental market for offices in the old central business district. According to an MMR Infra Report by Colliers, the project's first phase, connecting Princess Street Flyover to Worli, and the upcoming second phase, linking Bandra with western suburbs in 2027, are expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Western Suburbs and Central Mumbai.

In the subsequent phase, BMC plans to extend the coastal road by 20.75 km, connecting Versova with Dahisar in the western suburbs, further bolstering Mumbai's transportation infrastructure.

HBL