Mumbai Coastal Road To be Ready by November 2023

Mumbai Coastal Road To be Ready by November 2023

By November 2023, the first segment of the Mumbai coastal line from Marine Drive to Worli should be completed. A top official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that 71 percent of the work has been completed.

The BMC is building a project with a total estimated cost of Rs 12,721 crore. Phase One, a 10.58-kilometer segment from Marine Drive to Worli in south Mumbai, would be operational by November 2023, according to BMC head engineer M M Swami.

Swami added that 91 percent of the tunnel boring work, 93 percent of the land reclamation, 79 percent of the retaining wall, 36 percent of the interchanges, and 32 percent of the bridges are finished.

The project began in October of 2018. Reclaimed land covers 111 hectares. Swami anticipated that the coastal route would cut travel time between Marine Lines in south Mumbai and Kandivli in north Bombay by 70 percent, fuel consumption by 34 percent, and noise and air pollution by the same amount. Each of the twin tube tunnels is 2.07 kilometres in length.

More Details About Mumbai Coastal Road

Throughout its 135-year existence, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project is the most costly civil construction done by BMC. It was the greatest reclamation project (111 hectares) undertaken after independence. The budget has increased to Rs 12,721 crore as a result of the pandemic's disruption and litigation over its effect on the environment of the coastline. This is considered the price to pay for a more efficient commute and healthier air.

From Marine Drive to Worli, a 10.6-kilometer route skirts the coastline and has 2.1-kilometer-long tunnels and three interchanges where cars may depart. It offers access-controlled, signal-free trips from the Princess Street overpass on Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra Worli sea connection at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour for the typical vehicle moving at 21 kilometres per hour in north-south traffic.

The Mumbai coastal road, conceived as an alternative to a sea link connecting Nariman Point to the western suburbs, is expected to decongest south Mumbai's roads, reduce commuting time by 70%, and result in 34% fuel savings (the city's annual carbon footprint is expected to decrease by 1,826 tonnes of CO2).

Travel time is projected to decrease from 30 to 45 minutes to eight minutes.

BMC is aiming for a November 2023 completion date, however several sections off Marine Road and Worli seafront are not yet completed.

To accommodate 1,800 automobiles, underground parking is proposed at Worli seafront, Worli Dairy, and Haji Ali, as well as at Breach Candy. The objective is to attract Mumbai residents to a new waterfront for enjoyment as well as to clear carriageways. The coastal road has often been criticised for being a vanity project that will only benefit a small segment. Nonetheless, bus-only lanes and a lengthy promenade are crucial components.

The route provides 70 hectares of green and recreational open space to a metropolis that is always lacking in space. It equals to eight Oval maidans. Throughout its length, the promenade will have planted walks and amenities such as cycling tracks and ice rinks. 16 underpasses (1 every 0.5 kilometres) will provide access to the promenade and open areas.

The road has been fortified with a sea wall that defines the new coastline in order to make it resistant to climate change. It is anticipated that the structure will prevent coastal erosion and offer protection against storm surges of about 2.75 metres. Costs have risen significantly from Rs 5,000 crore in 2015 to above Rs 12,000 crore at now.

Former municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta ascribed the delay on the growing costs of steel, gasoline, and insurance. Groundwork started in October 2018, but was halted for nine months in 2019 owing to lawsuits stemming from environmental concerns. In 2020, the pandemic exacerbated the interruption for an additional six months. Fishermen's opposition to a 60-meter bridge span at Cleveland Bunder, Worli, contributed to further delays and inflation (after talking to experts, BMC agreed to widen the span to 120m).

An analysis by the Comptroller and Auditor General estimated a rise of costs from Rs 304 crore per kilometre in 2016 to Rs 686 crore in 2018 and above Rs 1 billion by the time the project is finished.

Now, however, the effort has accelerated, and the BMC can demonstrate progress of over 72%. The opening is scheduled for November 2023, which appears quite ambitious. Scientists anticipate that it might last until March 2024. In addition, the last segment between Worli seaface and the Bandra-Worli sea link would not be completed until May or June 2024. In a few of years, Mumbai should be able to drive down a windswept seaside roadway without having to stop at the next light.