With the scheduled inauguration of the first phase of the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road project, on February 19, India is poised to achieve a major feat in infrastructure. With its partial public opening on February 20, the project aims to enhance connectivity between Worli and Marine Drive, which together make up the southern portion of the coastal road.

In the initial phase of the coastal road project, a crucial link has been established between Worli and Marine Drive, constituting the southbound stretch. According to the BMC Commissioner, the coastal road is slated to be accessible to the public, by May 15.

Key Features:

• Coastal road spans 10.58 km, from South Mumbai to Worli

• Surface section features 8 lanes, while tunnels have 6 lanes, including a designated lane for buses

• Two tunnels are under construction, each measuring 2.072 km in length with an 11-meter diameter

• Tunnels are situated between Priyadarshini Park and Girgaon Chowpatty

2.19 km of bridges and 4.35 km of reclaimed roads, are also part of the project. While the northbound tunnel was bored from April 2022 to May 2023, the southbound tunnel was excavated from January 2021 to January 2022. A concrete cover that is 375 mm thick and has fire safety boards reinforces the tunnels.

The goal of the coastal road project is to cut the 30 to 40-minute travel time between Worli and Marine Drive, to just 10 to 12 minutes, thereby alleviating traffic congestion in Mumbai - especially during rush hour. The speed limit on the coastal road is 80 kmph with an emphasis on safety. Authorities predict a large drop in air and noise pollutions, which will improve the quality of the air and lessen the city's carbon footprint.

India's pioneering undersea tunnel, a key part of the coastal road project, was built using a 12-meter diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM). This tunnel boring machine will now be used to build a 9 km tunnel, connecting the Orange Gate on the freeway to Marine Drive, at the end of the coastal road. This tunnel, expected to be the longest underground road in the country within a city, will use a twin-tube construction method, like the coastal road tunnel, incorporating modern safety measures.