Coastal Road Project To Extend To Bhayandar: What This Means For Mumbai’s Traffic Woes

The Mumbai Coastal Road project, currently aimed at reducing travel time between South Mumbai and its suburbs, will be extended up to Bhayandar in Thane district, according to Mumbai Now. This extension will cover the entire western sea-facing stretch of the city, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Wednesday.

In a recent meeting with officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Goyal discussed the plans for this extension and other measures to alleviate the city's severe traffic congestion.

Photo Credit: PTI

"The Coastal Road will be extended to Bhayandar and will be divided into 4-5 packages for construction," Goyal said. "Once fully operational, this project will greatly benefit daily commuters across the city."

Goyal also confirmed that discussions with the Union Minister for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, are underway to secure the necessary approvals. The environmental clearance for the extended sections of the road is anticipated by August 23, following efforts to speed up the approval process.

The Coastal Road project, with an estimated cost of Rs 14,000 crore, will connect directly to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. This connection is expected to significantly reduce travel time between South Mumbai and the suburbs. Currently, the project is 91 per cent complete, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde urging the administration to complete the remaining work as soon as possible.

As Mumbai expands northwards, Goyal addressed the city's ongoing traffic issues. He mentioned that he has requested the Tata Group to provide their operational and research report on Mumbai's traffic, which could offer valuable insights for future improvements.

Additionally, Goyal plans to involve IIT Bombay as a consultant to help tackle traffic congestion. "IIT Bombay has effectively managed issues with Mumbai's local train services, and their expertise will be beneficial here," he noted.

Goyal, who represents the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, also discussed plans for a new sports complex in North Mumbai. The complex will be developed in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Maharashtra government on a 37-acre plot. It is expected to benefit both urban youth and talented individuals from the rural and tribal areas of Thane and Palghar districts.

The new sports complex will feature modern facilities and will be funded from the existing budget, avoiding the need for additional financial resources, Goyal said. This initiative aims to support and nurture the athletic potential of Mumbai's youth and surrounding areas.