Marine Drive to Bandra in Just 10 Minutes as Coastal Road Connector Opens
Marine Drive to Bandra in Just 10 Minutes: Coastal Road Connector Inaugurated
Mumbaikars have received a significant travel upgrade with the opening of the Coastal Road Connector, linking the Marine Drive stretch to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. This newly completed connector promises to dramatically reduce travel time, allowing commuters to cover the distance between Marine Drive and Bandra in just 10-12 minutes.
Coastal Road Connector Opens to Public
The final phase of the Coastal Road project was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Bindu Madhav Chowk. By connecting the Coastal Road to the Sea Link at Worli, this project is set to ease the persistent traffic congestion between South Mumbai and the suburbs, improving both the travel experience and fuel efficiency for Mumbaikars.
According to officials, the Coastal Road extension allows a signal-free, toll-free commute from the southern tip of Mumbai to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, saving commuters up to 70% of travel time and reducing fuel consumption by 34%.
Chief Minister’s Inauguration
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, inspected the new Coastal Road connector. Vehicles traveling northbound from Marine Drive to Bandra via the Coastal Road can now enter the Sea Link directly between 7 am and 11 pm. However, southbound vehicles will still need to use the existing routes without this direct connection for the time being.
A Series of Milestones
This inauguration marks the fourth phase of the Coastal Road project. Earlier phases, including the southbound route from Worli to Marine Drive, were opened in March 2024, followed by the Marine Drive to Haji Ali section in June, and the Haji Ali to Worli stretch in July. These developments have already shortened travel times between Worli and Marine Drive to under 15 minutes. The entire project, spanning 10.58 km, began construction in October 2018 and has been completed in phases to ease the traffic burden.
Wider Benefits for Mumbai
In addition to the Coastal Road, the recent inauguration of Akurli Bridge by MP and Union Minister Piyush Goyal brought relief to commuters in Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, and Dahisar. What used to be a 30-minute drive to cover a short distance now takes only a few minutes. With Ganeshotsav celebrations underway, this improved infrastructure is seen as a timely gift for the city.
An Efficient Future for Mumbai Commuters
The opening of this connector is expected to bring long-term relief to Mumbaikars, significantly reducing traffic pressure on South Mumbai and the Western Expressway. As the city’s infrastructure improves, journeys between key areas like Nariman Point and Bandra will be quicker and more efficient, covering the distance in as little as 10 minutes.
