Delilah D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, May 20: Mumbai's eagerly awaited Coastal Road promenade is on track for completion by June 15, 2025. Stretching 7.5 km from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, this 20-meter-wide seafront path is poised to become a major attraction for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Dedicated cycling tracks and underpasses will offer seamless access from various points, enhancing the city's coastal experience.

Currently, the Coastal Road operates between 7 am and midnight due to ongoing construction activities, including the transportation of materials and equipment. Officials have indicated that the road will be opened round the clock once the promenade work is finished.

Despite restricted hours, the Coastal Road stretch is already drawing weekend visitors. Around the Breach Candy section, several vehicles have been spotted pulling over as motorists pause to take in views of the Arabian Sea. Residents have likened the scene to a new Marine Drive, though some have raised safety concerns about cars halting on a high-speed stretch.

The 10.58-km Mumbai Coastal Road, linking Marine Drive’s Princess Street Flyover to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is now fully operational with both carriageways open to vehicular traffic. However, the beautification and development of the surrounding open spaces are still underway. The promenade is being built over an 11-hectare stretch, with Tata Sons overseeing the beautification of the 5-hectare median. Additionally, Reliance Industries is poised to take charge of developing and maintaining 70 hectares of open spaces along the southern stretch of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, with an estimated investment of around Rs 1,000 crore .

The BMC's plan for the open space includes a host of public-friendly amenities: Miyawaki forests, musical fountains, butterfly gardens, yoga zones, senior citizen parks, children’s play areas, open-air gyms, jogging and cycling tracks, and amphitheatres. The estimated investment for this initiative is at least ?400 crore under CSR .

The entire Coastal Road project, which began in November 2018, was initially set for completion in November 2023 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 lockdown and design changes prompted by fisherfolk opposition. The total projected cost stands at ?13,983.83 crore, encompassing construction and administrative expenses .