Mumbai, “the dream city of India,” is known for its vibrant lifestyle, iconic landmarks, diverse culture, and excellent connectivity. As the country’s financial capital, Mumbai attracts not just tourists but also business travellers and young professionals. The city is on the move, irrespective of day and night. To avoid long traffic congestion and make commuting convenient, the road infrastructure is being improved every day. In the process of doing so, a game-changing road project- the Mumbai Coastal Road will benefit the commuters in multiple ways.
Built on the serene coastline with the breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, the coastal road project in Mumbai will not only make commuting hassle-free but will also offer a scenic journey to the commuters. So, next time you visit the city, don’t miss taking a drive on the Mumbai coastal road for a memorable experience.
Let’s learn more about the coastal road project in detail to make your travel in the city easy and convenient.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project
The coastal road project in Mumbai is a 29 kms, eight-lane toll-free expressway with two underground tunnels at Malabar Hill and Girgaum Chowpatty. The road is being built with the motive of addressing Mumbai’s long-standing traffic challenges. The road stretching from the southern tip of the city, South Mumbai, to the Western suburbs will help reduce traffic congestion and accommodate the ever-growing number of vehicles in the city. According to BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), the Mumbai coastal road project will reduce the travel time between Princess Street and BWSL (Bandra-Worli Sea Link) from the current time of 35-45 minutes during the peak hours to a surprising 10 minutes.
However, only cars and buses are permitted on the road, while the access of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and heavy vehicles is restricted.
Mumbai Coastal Project Timeline
The Mumbai Coastal project is divided into two phases:
Phase 1: Inaugurated on 11th March 2024, the phase 1 coastal road stretches approximately 10 kms to connect the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Lines to the Wolri terminus of Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL).
Phase 2: As a part of phase 2, the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL) or the Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Sea Link is a bridge currently under construction.
Mumbai Coastal Project Benefits
The Mumbai Coastal Project is going to be a historic landmark in the infrastructure development of the city, with multiple benefits including:
- The Mumbai coastal project is believed to reduce the annual carbon footprint by 1,826 tons.
- This 8-lane expressway, with 6 lanes catering to regular vehicular traffic and two lanes serving as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, will make commuting along Mumbai’s coastline hassle-free for residents and visitors.
- The project aims to generate jobs and benefit local businesses through construction and maintenance.
- The smooth connectivity enhances the emergency response capabilities for disaster management along the coast.
- The project also has a scope for recreational spaces for attracting tourists and locals.
Major Localities Around the Mumbai Coastal Road
The major localities connected through the Mumbai Coastal Road project are Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Malabar Hill and Worli. With the construction of the road, the tourist attractions in these localities will witness a boost in tourism. Here is the detailed description of these localities and their tourist landmarks. Also, if you are planning to visit these localities, don’t forget to check out the hotels in Mumbai around them for an affordable and comfortable stay.
1. Narmian Point
The starting point of the Mumbai Coastal Project, Nariman Point, is known as the business district of Mumbai for some of the country’s prestigious business headquarters, including Air India, Express Tower and Mantralaya. Bordered by Churchgate in North, Arabian Sea on West and South and Colaba on the East, it is located at the southern tip of the Mumbai peninsula and the end of the famous Marine Drive. For its impressive skyscrapers and modern architecture, the locality is also known as the “Manhattan of Mumbai”.
Nariman Point is not just dotted with commercial buildings but is also an upscale area filled with nightclubs, restaurants, shopping malls and hotels, making it a popular destination for visitors to book their stay. The area is also famous for its serene beauty and clean air, which is why you can witness people cycling and walking even in the odd hours. You can enjoy a relaxing time with your significant other while watching the waves striking the rocks at Tetrapod Stones.
If you are on a business trip, you can look for business hotels in Mumbai near Nariman Point, for a productive and comfortable stay.
Key Attractions: Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Taraporewala Aquarium, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Theatre and Chowpatty.
2. Marine Drive
Popularly known as “The Queen’s Necklace”, Marine Drive is one of the popular tourist spots in Mumbai. Stretched about 3.6 kms long, C-shaped street from Nariman Point to Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, the place becomes magical when the lights are lit in the evening, resembling a string of pearls necklace. With the breathtaking panoramic views of the Arabian Sea in front and the cityscape as backdrop, it holds the true essence of the city. Whether you are looking for a place of solitude, photowalks, communal activities, or to spend time with your loved ones, the place is a must-visit for every traveller. Marine Drive is also a short drive away from the iconic Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace and Chowpatty, the food street of Mumbai. With the construction of the Mumbai Coastal road, the Marine Drive will become more accessible for people without being stuck in long traffic jams.
If you are looking for an affordable stay in the area, you can look for budget-friendly hotels in Mumbai.
Key Attractions: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Wankhede Stadium and Bhikha Behram Well.
3. Mahalaxmi
Another upscale locality, which will benefit from the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, is Mahalaxmi. Located in South Mumbai, the area shares borders with Worli to the South, Lower Parel to the North and the Arabian Sea to the West. Mahalaxmi is known for its key landmarks such as Mahalaxmi Temple, Royal Western India Turf Club’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse and Haji Ali Dargarh.
Mahalaxmi has a well-developed infrastructure with shopping malls, educational institutions, hospitals and commercial hubs. For leisure travellers, the area offers breathtaking views of Malabar Hills and the Arabian Sea. It is also known for its excellent connectivity to the other areas of the city through rail and road, making it a key transit point and Mumbai Coastal Road Project will further ease travel to and from the locality.
So, if you are looking to stay near the tourist attractions and transit points, hotels near Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai, are best suited for both leisure and business travellers.
Key Attractions: Mahalaxmi Temple, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Jijamata Udyan (Byculla Zoo), Haji Ali Dargarh and Dhobi Ghat.
4. Worli
One of the four peninsulas of Mumbai, including Colaba, Bandra and Malabar Hills, Worli is a prominent area located along with the western coastline of the city, bordered by the Arabian Sea to West, Lower Parel to the East, Prabhadevi to the North and Haji Ali to the South. The iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) also connects it to Bandra over the Arabian Sea, enhancing its connectivity to major localities of the city.
With prominent corporate parks like Peninsula Corporate Park, One Indiabulls Centre and Urmi Estate, it is a key employment hub in South Mumbai. Also, the tourist attractions in the area like Haji Ali Dargah, Nehru Planetarium and Worli Fort, make it a popular locality among tourists.
While looking for a stay in the locality, hotels near Bandra Worli Sea Link, Mumbai are ideal for those looking for comfortable and affordable accommodation with ease of commuting.
Thus, the Mumbai Coastal Road project has not only offered relief from the long-hour traffic jams, but has also made popular localities of the city more approachable even on a short trip. So, whether you are a local or a visitor, the road project is a boon to all. Plan your visit to the city of dreams and book your stay through Treebo Club’s website or app for an affordable, comfortable and convenient stay.
