Mumbai Coastal Road: Final phase between BWSL-Marine Drive to open from Jan 26, hoarding row & more

The final phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road, designed to ensure smooth travel between Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) and Marine Drive, is set to open to the public on January 26, 2025. Stretching 10.58 km, Mumbai Coastal Road links Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL).

Additionally, to tackle speeding concerns, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged the Mumbai Traffic Police to step up vigilance, especially near tunnel exits. Subsequently, over 1,000 residents have petitioned against the approval for advertising hoardings along Coastal Road, raising concerns over safety and aesthetics.

To tackle speeding concerns on the Mumbai Coastal Road, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested increased police presence, particularly near tunnel exits. The BMC has also fast-tracked the installation of advanced surveillance cameras, set to be operational within two months.

Currently, 154 cameras monitor vehicle movement in tunnels, with new systems planned to capture speeding vehicles’ registration numbers and issue e-challans automatically. The BMC is also developing a sea-facing promenade to be operational from May and underpasses for pedestrian access, ensuring the road offers both convenience and safety for Mumbai commuters.

Since March 2024, the Coastal Road has seen an increase in traffic, with daily averages ranging from 13,874 to 23,099 vehicles on the southbound route. As per BMC officials, this bridge is India’s longest bow-string arch bridge spanning across an open sea!

Meanwhile, over 1,000 residents from Breach Candy and Napean Sea Road have petitioned against the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (MCZMA) approval for advertising hoardings along Mumbai's Coastal Road.

In an open letter to Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister, residents argue that the hoardings, set to be installed at Tata Garden, Amarsons Garden, and Lala Lajpatrai Park, will degrade the area's aesthetics, pose safety risks to drivers, and contribute to light pollution.

The petition, backed by over 925 signatures, calls for public consultation and urges authorities to prioritise ecological preservation over commercial interests. Activists also appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for a stay on the approval.