Maha CM Eknath Shinde inaugurates first phase of coastal road in Mumbai

The second phases comprises of an 8-lane stretch with twin tunnels between Priyadarshini Park in the city’s Malabar Hill area to Marine Drive, and will be opened for traffic by May 15 this year.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on March 11 inaugurated the first phase of the coastal road between Worli and Marine Drive in south Mumbai.

A 10.5-kilometer-long stretch will be opened for traffic in the first phase. Motorists can enter the coastal road from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange and Amarson's interchange points, and exit at Marine Lines.

Motorists will be able to cover the Worli to Marine Drive stretch in 10 minutes, down from the 40-45 minutes it takes now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Iqbal Chahal had said earlier this year.

Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and other dignitaries were present when the south-bound corridor of the coastal road was inauguration.

The work on the ambitious project started on October 13, 2018 and its projected cost is Rs 12,721 crore.

A world-class Central Park spread over 320 acres will come up along the road, named 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road', CM Shinde said last week.

See Pics | Here's a look at phase 1 of Mumbai coastal road inaugurated by Maha CM Shinde

According to Shinde, the alignment of the road was changed to allow a gap of 120 metres between the road pillars in Worli. This is aimed at allowing smooth passage of boats used by the fishermen.

The second phases comprises of an 8-lane stretch with twin tunnels between Priyadarshini Park in the city’s Malabar Hill area to Marine Drive, and will be opened for traffic by May 15 this year.