Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Nine New Parks and 7.5 Km Promenade Work Starts This November

Work on the development of parks and a promenade along the Mumbai Coastal Road (MCR) is set to commence in November, following the master plan created by infrastructure firm AECOM. This ambitious project aims to add nearly 70 hectares of open space, which will be divided into three distinct zones and will feature nine parks stretching from Priyadarshini Park to Worli.

The project, spearheaded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is a significant step towards enhancing green spaces in Mumbai, providing recreational facilities, and improving public access to the city's western coastline.

Key Features

Approximately 70 per cent of the new open spaces will be dedicated to green cover, while the remaining 30 per cent will include paved areas such as walkways, cycle tracks, and a 7.5-kilometre promenade. The parks will cater to people of all ages, featuring cycling tracks, skating areas, yoga zones, tennis and badminton courts, and large open fields suitable for football. Additionally, dedicated spaces will be created for senior citizens and children to ensure the parks meet the needs of multiple generations.

The promenade will be accessible around the clock, allowing people to enjoy walks or cycling along the coast at any time of day or night. There will be nine primary entry points, including locations such as Setalvad Lane, Tata Garden, Mahalaxmi, Haji Ali, and Madraswadi in Worli. Furthermore, 20 underpasses will be constructed, spaced at 400-metre intervals, to ensure convenient access across the promenade.

Promenade's Unique Sea Experience

The Worli end of the promenade is set to offer a special attraction, with steps leading down to the shore, allowing visitors to engage closely with the sea, thanks to consistently low tides in this area. The BMC aims to create a harmonious connection between the residents and the coastal environment.

Genesis Of The Project

The concept of developing Mumbai's western shoreline originated in 2011 when a joint technical committee, led by former municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar, proposed the idea of a freeway or coastal link road. In December 2011, the committee recommended land reclamation as a cost-effective solution, with the added benefit of creating valuable open spaces for the city's residents.

Coastal Road Arch Bridge

In related developments, the BMC is expected to partially open one arm of the MCR's iconic arch bridge, which connects the coastal road with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The bridge's south-bound carriageway will be opened for traffic on September 12, providing much-needed relief to congestion in the area. Initially, the bridge will accommodate only northbound traffic from Marine Drive towards Bandra. South-bound entry will continue to be from Worli.