Mumbai’s infrastructure landscape is set to transform with the Maharashtra government’s ambitious expansion of the Coastal Road, which, once complete, will connect Nariman Point to Virar in just 35 to 40 minutes. This project, announced by Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is expected to significantly ease commute times for thousands of daily travellers and enhance connectivity across the bustling Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Funded by a substantial Japanese investment of Rs 54,000 crore, the Coastal Road extension underscores the region’s infrastructure development on a global scale. Fadnavis elaborated that the tender for the Versova to Madh link has already been issued, with the Madh to Uttan link soon to follow. The funding agreement with Japan not only reflects the international interest in Mumbai’s growth but also underscores the scale and importance of this infrastructure expansion for MMR.
The current phase of the Coastal Road is a formidable 29.2 km expressway stretching along Mumbai’s western coastline, connecting Marine Lines in the south to Kandivali in the north. Comprising eight lanes, the Coastal Road is designed to ease congestion on Mumbai’s major routes. The initial 10.58 km stretch from the Princess Street flyover to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link was inaugurated in March 2024, signalling the beginning of the larger vision for seamless coastal connectivity.
Upon completion, the Coastal Road extension will transform Mumbai’s urban connectivity, reducing traffic bottlenecks and offering a direct and high-speed route from Nariman Point to Virar. This has been a long-awaited development for commuters, particularly those travelling to and from Palghar, who currently face daunting travel times due to congestion. Fadnavis highlighted that this road expansion aligns with the broader infrastructural goals of MMR, promising not only a boost in ease of travel but also a significant economic impact as commuting efficiency improves.
The Coastal Road extension comes as a strategic infrastructure boost, aiming to enhance the MMR’s connectivity in line with the growing demands of its population. The extension will alleviate the burden on existing transport networks, benefiting millions of commuters daily and stimulating commercial activities throughout Mumbai and the adjoining regions. The project is anticipated to support various economic sectors, from logistics to local businesses, by ensuring that transit time and logistical bottlenecks are substantially reduced.