The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is preparing a new six-lane road parallel to Marine Drive in an important effort to reduce traffic in South Mumbai. As part of the larger Orange Gate–Marine Drive twin tunnel project, the proposed route would run roughly 3 km from the Coastal Road to the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
The proposal was recently reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahyadri Guest House. The project may involve partial land reclamation from the Marine Drive promenade and sections of the Arabian Sea. In areas where space is limited, officials are considering constructing a cantilever bridge similar to the one built for the Coastal Road.
MMRDA is also exploring a linkage between this new stretch and a proposed 1.77-km sea bridge connecting NCPA to Cuffe Parade. Highlighting the project’s importance, Fadnavis emphasised the need for swift execution. “This is a vital step towards decongesting South Mumbai and integrating the Eastern Freeway with Atal Setu. Timely execution is critical,” he stated.
The government has targeted December 2028 as an ambitious deadline. Piling, land purchase, and tunnelling are examples of preliminary work that has already begun. Officials affirmed that the transport department has worked with them to produce an updated technical blueprint. Improvements to nearby roadways, such as Marine Drive and S V Patel Road, are also planned.
However, residents of South Mumbai have expressed apprehension and put forth specific demands. Ashok Gupta, Vice President of the Marine Drive Citizens Association, told the Free Press Journal, “Residents must be taken into confidence during the planning phase. A holistic and inclusive approach to traffic management is essential. Development must not come at the cost of public access and heritage.”
He further added, “We will be presenting our demands in upcoming consultations. The project should proceed only after factoring in community input.”
The proposed road is expected to manage the anticipated surge in traffic following the commissioning of the 6.5-km twin tunnel linking Orange Gate to Marine Drive. Atulkumar, President of the Marine Drive and Churchgate Citizens Association, also voiced concerns. “This makeover of Marine Drive is a sensitive issue. The government’s detailed construction plans remain unclear. It’s vital that pedestrian pathways and other essential features of Marine Drive are preserved.”
Source: The Free Press Journal
