Traffic on the Mumbai Coastal Road has risen sharply since its launch, with average daily vehicle movement climbing from about 8,787 in its early days to nearly 63,000 now. Opened in March 2024, the signal-free corridor has steadily gained popularity among commuters travelling between Marine Drive and Worli, primarily due to faster and more seamless connectivity.
So far, the project has handled a cumulative traffic volume exceeding 3.16 crore vehicles. Constructed at a cost of ₹13,893 crore, the road has cut travel time between key South Mumbai stretches to under 10 minutes, compared to the earlier 30–40 minutes via internal roads. This significant reduction has been a major driver behind the steady rise in usage.
In the initial phase, traffic growth was gradual, with the first full month recording around 14,500 trips per day. However, volumes picked up as additional sections opened and commuter awareness improved. In the past month alone, traffic touched nearly 18.9 lakh vehicles, indicating sustained and growing adoption.
A notable shift occurred after the road was opened for 24-hour use in August 2025, when daily traffic had already reached approximately 46,000 vehicles. Round-the-clock access, along with better entry and exit points and the opening of the promenade, encouraged more commuters to adopt the route for daily travel instead of occasional drives.
Urban planners note that the coastal road, alongside expanding metro networks, is reshaping mobility patterns in South Mumbai by offering an alternative to congested routes. However, the benefits are currently skewed towards private vehicle users and taxi operators. Experts suggest that increasing BEST bus services on the corridor could make the infrastructure more inclusive.
There are also concerns over earlier projections. A 2016 report had estimated annual traffic growth of about 2 per cent, but restrictions on two-wheelers may influence long-term usage trends.
At the local level, while congestion has eased on stretches like Pedder Road near Jaslok Hospital, new bottlenecks have emerged at junctions such as Breach Candy due to merging traffic. Notably, usage has evolved from leisure drives to regular office commutes, reflecting a shift towards functional, everyday travel.
Source: Prop News Time
