Mumbai’s New Traffic Solution: Coastal Road to Bandra-Worli Sea Link Connector Opens

In a significant step to ease traffic congestion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will inaugurate the first of two arch bridges connecting the Coastal Road and the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) today. This "bow-string" arch bridge, part of Mumbai's Coastal Road project, will be operational for northbound traffic, providing direct access for vehicles traveling from South Mumbai to Bandra via the Coastal Road. The bridge is expected to reduce travel time and traffic bottlenecks at the Worli exit during peak hours.

Shinde will be joined by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, who will inspect the bridge before it opens to the public. The new connector allows northbound vehicles from Marine Drive to bypass congested areas, offering a smooth ride from South Mumbai to Bandra through the BWSL. However, vehicles traveling southbound will have to continue using the existing routes until the second connector is completed.

Phased Expansion of Coastal Road

The Coastal Road project has been operational in phases. The southbound section, from Worli to Marine Drive, was opened on March 11, while the northbound section, connecting Marine Drive to Haji Ali, followed by Haji Ali to Worli, became operational on June 10 and July 11, respectively. With today’s opening, motorists can now travel from Marine Drive to Bandra in under 15 minutes, easing the commute for thousands of daily travelers.

The Coastal Road currently operates between 7 am and 11 pm on weekdays, and this new bridge will exclusively serve northbound traffic for now. Southbound traffic will continue to face delays until the second arch bridge, part of the final southbound arm of the Coastal Road, is completed. The second bridge is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Delays and Challenges in Construction

The opening of this bridge was initially scheduled for July but faced delays due to the monsoon and technical issues. Despite these challenges, the BMC aims to complete the full Coastal Road network by year-end. Officials have clarified that the original plan to allow two-way traffic on the bridge has been scrapped, limiting the current structure to only northbound traffic.

With the completion of both connectors, the Coastal Road and BWSL will serve as a seamless route for north and southbound commuters, significantly cutting travel times and reducing congestion in key areas of Mumbai.

The completion of the 10.5-km Coastal Road from Marine Lines to Worli is expected to transform the city's transportation landscape, offering a quicker and more efficient route for motorists navigating the bustling metropolis.