The Mumbai Coastal Road project, which will link Marine Lines in the south to Kandivali in the north, is facing probable delays in its completion.
The first phase of the project, spanning from Marine Drive to Worli, was anticipated to be concluded by November 2023.
However, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently announced that the decision to broaden the road along particular sections might lead to cost escalation and project delays.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged the added expenses and potential delay to the timely completion of the Mumbai Coastal Road project due to the decision to widen the distance between pillars during a state assembly meeting.
While he did not specify the duration of the delay, he stressed the importance of sticking to the remaining timeline.
The contractor’s proposal will undergo evaluation by the BMC’s consultant, adhering to the contract’s terms and conditions, and the BMC is striving to complete the project within a limited timeframe and at a minimal extra cost.
The Mumbai Coastal Road is a 10.6km long stretch from Princess Street in Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, being constructed by the BMC.
The project is estimated to cost around Rs 12,500 crore and aims to improve suburban connectivity to and from South Mumbai.
The road is expected to alleviate the traffic congestion issues currently faced by commuters travelling to the southern part of the city by providing a faster and smoother commute.
The Mumbai Coastal Road project has faced challenges from environmental concerns and local fishermen’s opposition.
The latter has raised concerns about the road’s impact on the marine ecosystem, leading to protests.
Despite the hurdles, the project is progressing, with measures being taken to address environmental concerns and mitigate negative impacts.
Despite facing challenges, the BMC has persevered with the Mumbai Coastal Road project, and the completion of the first phase was a significant achievement.
However, Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde’s recent announcement that the project may experience delays and increased costs have caused concerns regarding its timely completion.
Millions of commuters are eagerly anticipating the transformation of suburban travel to and from South Mumbai by the Mumbai Coastal Road, providing a faster and more comfortable ride.
While the delay and cost increase may be disheartening, there is optimism that the project will be completed soon and will fulfill its promise of improving commuting in the city.