CM Eknath Shinde Announces Mumbai Coastal Road Phase One to Open Toll-Free After January 31,
“Exciting news for Mumbai commuters! CM Eknath Shinde declares toll-free access to the coastal road connecting Marine Drive and Bandra Worli Sea Link. Phase one is set to open after January 31, bringing relief to thousands. Stay tuned for a faster, hassle-free commute!”
In a significant announcement on Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde shared that the much-anticipated Mumbai coastal road project, linking Marine Drive with the Bandra Worli Sea Link, will not have toll collections. Furthermore, the first phase of the project is expected to be open to motorists after January 31.
The ambitious 10.58-km high-speed corridor, featuring a network of arterial roads, underground tunnels, and traffic interchanges, has been a focal point of infrastructure development in Mumbai. The project also boasts India’s first undersea tunnel, connecting Girgaon Chowpatty to Priyadarshini Park.
CM Eknath Shinde expressed confidence in the completion of the phase between Worli and Marine Drive
Including the undersea tunnel, by January 31. Following this milestone, the remaining phase is scheduled to be finished by May 31, marking the full operationalization of the coastal road.
The announcement came after CM Shinde, accompanied by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and other BMC officials, inspected the ongoing work on the coastal road project. The visit included a close look at the progress of the undersea tunnel, a key component of the infrastructure endeavor.
In related developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) Road on January 12. Notably, the state government recently passed a resolution for a toll fee of Rs 250 on the MTHL Road for one-way travel.
Emphasizing the commitment to ongoing infrastructure development, CM Eknath Shinde mentioned plans for the next phase of the coastal road project, connecting Bandra-Versova with Virar. This expansion aims to significantly reduce travel time for commuters.
“The infrastructure works in Mumbai are not meant to stop as we have already initiated work to connect Bandra-Versova with Virar in the next phase of the coastal road project. This will bring down travel time significantly,” said CM Shinde.
With the completion of the coastal road project and the upcoming inauguration of the MTHL Road, Mumbai is set to witness enhanced connectivity. The MTHL Road will connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai and Raigad, while the coastal road expansion will incorporate satellite cities like Virar into the direct connectivity network.
The coastal road project, with an estimated cost of Rs 12,271 crore, commenced construction in 2018. Originally slated for completion by November 2023, the deadline was extended by six months due to a change in the bridge design prompted by resistance from the local fishing community.
As Mumbai gears up for these transformative infrastructure projects, commuters can anticipate a seamless and expedited travel experience along the coastal road corridor, fostering greater connectivity and convenience in the bustling metropolis.
Also Read: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Foresees Completion of Coastal Road Project by January 31
