After the opening of the Atasetu Sea Link, all eyes are now on the Mumbai Coastal Highway Phase-I project. According to sources, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to open the first phase in February, but the exact date is yet to be determined. They also said that the entire coastal road project will be ready for the people of Mumbai by May.

The project, which was launched in 2018 and stretches from the Princess Street flyover to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli sea link, is about to enter its final phase with 84 per cent completion, according to officials. It is also considered one of BMC’s most expensive projects. According to information shared by the municipal body, tunnel boring operations are 100% complete, followed by reclamation work at 97% completion. Sea wall construction is in advanced stages and is 84% ​​complete, while flyover development and bridge construction are 85.5% and 83% complete respectively.

The main objective of the coastal road project is to ease traffic pressure during morning and evening peak hours in south Mumbai. Therefore, it was designed to better connect the southern and northern areas of the city. The authorities expect that through this mega project, Mumbaikars will definitely save at least 70% of their commuting time and it will also help reduce fuel consumption by 30-34%. Currently, the journey between Worli and Marine Drive takes 30 to 40 minutes due to traffic congestion during morning and evening peak hours. But the authorities are confident that with the help of the coastal road project, the travel time will be significantly reduced to 10-12 minutes.

For safety reasons, the speed limit on the coastal highway remains at 80 km/h. The BMC believes that the reduction in traffic will help reduce noise and air pollution, thereby further improving air quality in the city. The civic body also expects the project to significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

The 10.58-km coastal road connecting south Mumbai to Worli will have eight lanes on the ground and six lanes in the tunnel. It will also have a dedicated lane for buses. The two tunnels of this coastal road, with a length of 2.072 km and an inner diameter of 11 meters, are being constructed between Priyadarshini Park and Girgaon Chowpatty. The project also includes a 4.35-kilometre reclaimed road and 2.19-kilometre bridge. Excavation of the southbound tunnel will begin in January 2021 and end in January 2022. Subsequently, excavation of the northbound tunnel began in April 2022 and ended in May 2023. The tunnel is reinforced with a 375mm thick concrete protective layer, which is fireproof. Protection board.

For the first time in India, the Sakado ventilation system has been implemented in a tunnel for a coastal highway project. In addition, the BMC has also used advanced traffic control systems in the tunnels. Keeping the safety of commuters in mind, cross passages are strategically placed at intervals of 300 meters to ensure quick exit in case of emergency. Underground parking facilities have been established at four locations with a total capacity of 1,800 vehicles.

“Our current focus is to open the southbound lane as soon as possible. Since the construction activities on the seaside side of the section will continue until May 2024, we are considering installing a greening net on the southbound side. Manteya, Chief Engineer, Mumbai Coastal Highway “This measure is aimed at minimizing disruption to motorists due to ongoing construction work on the stretch of road,” said Mantayya Swamy. “

The coastal road has three flyovers at strategic locations: Amarsons Garden along Nepean Sea Road, Lotus Jetty-Haji Ali and Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk in Worli. Haji Ali Interchange is a key location as it has a multi-level structure that allows access to the coastal road from multiple directions. These flyovers play a key role in enhancing connectivity and navigation along the coastal road network.

While building the coastal road, a team of engineers made a thoughtful attempt to utilize natural materials, specifically boulders and armored rocks, to build the proposed sea walls, which are expected to encourage the growth of marine animals. This approach not only provides coastal erosion protection but also serves as a powerful barrier against storms and flooding. The project also includes the construction of 20 underground passages specifically designed for pedestrians, making it easier for people to access the promenade.