The southbound arm of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) Marine Drive to Worli Seaface will be toll-free and opened after January 31, CM Eknath Shinde announced on Sunday. The northbound arm of the road will be commissioned by May 2024, he said.
Shinde was inspecting the Coastal Road work, along with Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and other civic officials, during a deep cleaning drive on Sunday morning. The project is being executed in two phases Phase I (a 10.58km stretch) from Princess Street in Marine Drive to Worli, while Phase II extends from Worli to Kandivli. The project will also feature the country's first undersea tunnel, originating from Girgaum Chowpatty and going up to Priyadarshini Park.
“The tunnel is being made with advanced technology. The road will benefit commuters, especially during peak hours when theres heavy traffic and will save them time and fuel,” said Shinde.
No Toll On Coastal Road: CM Shinde
"This is the largest tunnel in the country," Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde added further. On being asked if commuters need to pay tax for the new tunnel, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "Commuters will not have to pay toll tax to use this road."
About MTHL Project
The state government had recently passed a resolution levying a toll of Rs 250 for a single trip on the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) bridge, which is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12. Shinde said, MTHL will connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai and Raigad. On the other hand, satellite cities like Virar will be part of this direct connectivity.
BMC's Measures Towards Proper Ventilation Inside Tunnel
The BMC has installed 'Saccardo' nozzles inside the tunnels of the coastal roads to improve ventilation and air flow. If a vehicle catches fire in a mishap, the smoke will be pushed outwards by this system, thereby preventing fumes from accumulating in the tunnel and making it easier to plan for emergencies, civic officials said.
