July 15, 2025: Mumbai’s ambitious Coastal Road Project has achieved a major milestone, with two key sections of the 7.5-km-long and 20-metre-wide seafront promenade now ready for public use. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is awaiting final approval from the state government for the grand public opening, which is expected this week.
The two completed stretches include a 2.75-km section from Tata Garden to Haji Ali, and a 2.5-km section between Lovegrove Nullah and B.M. Thackeray Chowk. Once open, access will be available from six points including Tata Garden, Haji Ali Juice Centre, and Mahalaxmi Temple, with five more to follow after the final phase is completed.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has cleared the way for a new 300-metre stretch between Haji Ali and Baroda Palace. The BMC is currently preparing a detailed cost estimate and will soon initiate the tender process for construction.
The promenade, extending from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is envisioned as a major recreational hub for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. However, plans for a 1-km stretch near the upcoming Haji Ali underground parking have been dropped due to safety concerns related to vehicular movement.
In addition, the BMC is revising the design of a four-storey underground car park near Haji Ali that will accommodate approximately 1,200 vehicles. Daily maintenance along the promenade will be handled by mechanised sweeping machines, and public toilets are also being installed.
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has been roped in to develop 53 hectares of reclaimed open space under a Rs 400 crore CSR initiative, with landscaping designs to be submitted in accordance with CRZ regulations and Supreme Court directives.
Source: The Free Press Journal
