Mumbai: Construction work of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, which will cut short road travel time between Nariman Point and Worli and beyond, is 65% complete.
The work commenced at the end of 2018, and the authorities are optimistic about meeting the scheduled deadline of November 2023.
On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) tweeted out that, "Total 65 % work of Mumbai Coastal Road Project (South) has been completed. The Coastal Road will reduce the travel time by 70% and fuel consumption by 34%."
The average vehicular speed on Mumbai’s roads is 20–21 kmph
The average vehicular speed on Mumbai’s roads is around 20–21 kmph. On the Mumbai Coastal Road, the same is estimated to be around 75 kmph for cars, similar to that on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
According to the BMC, work on the right tunnel has been completed. Whereas, with 78% of the work completed, the left tunnel is on the path to completion. The entire project has been divided into three packages and involves the reclamation of 111 hectares of the Arabian Sea.
Mumbai’s second twin tunnel after the Eastern Freeway near Chembur
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project stretches out to 10.58 km and has 2.07-km-long twin tunnels. This would be Mumbai’s second twin tunnel, the first twin tunnels are part of the Eastern Freeway near Chembur.
The alignment starts from BD Somani Chowk on Marine Drive, which is next to the Princess Street Flyover and will be merged with Bandra Worli Sea Link on the Worli side. Along the route, there are three interchanges for motorists to enter and exit the Coastal Highway.
When the project took off in 2018, the overall project cost was calculated at Rs 12,700 crore. Since then, due to delays, it has escalated. With a year to go before it gets completed, the final figure may go up further.
The setbacks or delays were due to two factors, the first was a lawsuit filed against reclaiming sea for the project, and the second was the pandemic disrupting construction pace.
