Mumbai: With two sections of the 5.25-km stretch of the 7.5-km-long and 20-metre-wide promenade along the Mumbai Coastal Road ready and set to open to the public this week, the BMC has received clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to begin work on another segment between Haji Ali and Baroda Palace. The tender process for this section will commence soon, following the completion of a detailed cost estimation.
The much-anticipated sea-facing promenade between Priyadarshini Park at Breach Candy and the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is expected to be a major attraction for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
As per the revised deadline of July 15, two major stretches are now ready: a 2.75-km section from Tata Garden to Haji Ali, and a 2.5-km stretch between Lovegrove Nullah (Worli Gutter) and B.M. Thackeray Chowk.
However, despite the completion, civic authorities are awaiting final approval from the state government to go ahead with the grand public opening of what will be one of the longest seafront promenades.
"Currently, access to the promenade will be available from six entry points, including Tata Garden, Haji Ali Juice Centre, Mahalaxmi Temple, and three other points in Worli. The remaining five access points will be opened once the final 2.25-km stretch of the promenade is completed," said a civic official.
In parallel, the BMC has revised the design of the proposed four-storey underground car parking facility at Haji Ali, which is expected to accommodate around 1,200 vehicles. A tender for the project will be floated soon.
However, plans to develop a 1-km promenade stretch near the Haji Ali parking area have been dropped. “The promenade in that section may be damaged due to vehicular movement, and it may not be safe for visitors,” the official explained.
Additionally, the BMC has received MCZMA clearance for a 300-metre stretch between Haji Ali and Baroda Palace. “We are preparing the cost estimation and will invite a tender soon. However, it will take some time to complete the 2.5 km stretch,” the official added.
The BMC has deploy mechanised sweeping machines for daily cleaning along the Coastal Road promenade and is building public toilets to serve commuters and visitors. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has been appointed to develop 53 hectares of reclaimed open space under a Rs 400-crore Corporate Social Responsibility-funded project.
RIL will submit landscape designs for approval as per Coastal Regulatory Zone norms and Supreme Court directives. The Mumbai Coastal Road project includes a 10.58-km, 8-lane expressway connecting Worli to Marine Drive, with a total cost of Rs 13,984 crore.
