While the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) has significantly improved travel time between the island city and its suburbs, it has also triggered new traffic concerns at key intersections. One of the most pressing issues has emerged at Mukesh Chowk on Nepeansea Road, where congestion has sharply increased since the opening of the road’s first phase. The Breach Candy interchange, a vital exit point near the upscale neighbourhood, has become a daily chokepoint, frustrating both local residents and commuters.
In response, the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF) has formally raised its concerns with the traffic department, urging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to introduce an additional southbound exit to ease the burden on the existing Breach Candy ramp. The proposed new exit—approximately 100 metres before the current Breach Candy exit—would specifically benefit Nepeansea Road and Malabar Hill motorists who currently face severe delays.
The matter was also brought up during a recent BMC meeting, where MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha pressed Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to act swiftly. Citing mounting pressure from constituents, Lodha warned that the issue would be escalated to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis if corrective measures are not taken. According to Lodha, the present exit configuration fails to address real-time traffic patterns, leading to avoidable bottlenecks that could escalate project costs if left uncorrected.
The newly opened 10.58 km Coastal Road corridor, stretching from Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, includes multiple interchanges. One key connection is the Amarsons Garden exit on Bhulabhai Desai Road, which has emerged as a problematic spot. A traffic study conducted by the BCRF revealed that over 60% of vehicles using this exit are destined for Nepeansea Road and Malabar Hill—further validating the need for a dedicated southbound ramp in that direction.
Residents have also expressed concern over the surge in vehicular traffic since the Coastal Road became operational. While the road has served its primary objective of improving regional connectivity, locals claim it has unintentionally funnelled an overwhelming volume of cars into already narrow neighbourhood lanes. This, they argue, has increased pollution and compromised road safety in residential zones.
Separately, the BMC is moving forward with a plan to explore the viability of a helipad at Worli Jetty, appointing Pawan Hans Ltd to conduct a feasibility study for a consultancy fee of Rs 5 lakh. The proposed helipad will be located on a temporary jetty built for the Coastal Road works, near Worli Dairy. Unlike the now-dismantled Amarsons Garden jetty, the Worli structure has been retained for coastal police surveillance and is considered robust enough to support helicopter landings. Officials believe the helipad could offer emergency access or official aerial transit once operational.
As Mumbai continues to expand its infrastructure footprint, these developments highlight the complexities of balancing major transit improvements with localised urban realities. The demand for a new Coastal Road exit at Nepeansea Road stands as a reminder that inclusive planning and community feedback are vital for the success of transformative public projects.
Source: The Free Press Journal
