Mumbai Coastal Road

It was launched by the BMC in an attempt to dramatically reduce transportation-related issues such as traffic and pollution. The Mumbai Coastal Road, a 29.2 km stretch from Marine Drive to Kandivali in Mumbai's western suburbs, was planned as an 8-lane highway. However, the expressway will soon be extended to Bhayandar in Thane district, spanning the entire western sea-facing front.
 

According to the master plan, the road will establish a toll-free expressway connecting South and North Mumbai, reducing traffic in one of the world's most crowded cities. The entire roadway will have 16 kilometers of interchanges at three places.
 

The first phase of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link was finished in 2024, with work beginning in 2018. Certain sections have been built and will be open to the public in 2024. However, the Mumbai Coastal Road is anticipated to be completed only by 2026.
 

BMC intends to build an 8.5-kilometer-long and 20-meter-wide sea promenade to the city as part of Phase 2. This wide corridor would connect Priyadarshini Park on Napean Sea Road to the Worli side of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. While Phase 2 is intended to connect Bandra Sea Link to Kandivali Junction, Phase 1 shortened travel time to and from South Mumbai.

Mumbai Coastal Road - Opening Dates

• Southbound (Worli to Marine Drive): Opened in March 2024.

• Northbound (Haji Ali to Worli): Opened in July 2024.

• Connector to Sea Link: Opened in September 2024.

• Promenade (5.25 km, Priyadarshini Park to Worli): Inaugurated on August 15, 2025, with public access from 4:30 PM.

• 24/7 Operations: The Coastal Road became operational 24/7 starting midnight, August 15, 2025.

• Full Project Completion (Bandra to Dahisar): Expected to be completed in 2026

Mumbai Coastal Road - Quick Facts

Official Name: Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road
 

Also called: Western Freeway.
 

Completion deadline: 2026.
 

Cost: 14,000 crores.
 

Number of lanes: four to eight.
 

Start point: Marine Drive.
 

Endpoint: Bhayandar in Thane.
 

Phase 1: Marine Drive to Worli decreased travel time from 40 to 12 minutes.

Mumbai Coastal Road Project Benefits
 

Cut travel time by around 70%.
 

Save around 34% on fuel.
 

Reduce air and noise pollution.
 

Create approximately 70 hectares of open and green area.
 

Improve the health of people in Mumbai.
 

Boost the city and state economies.
 

Enhance connectivity
 

Increase real estate development in the neighbourhood.

Mumbai Coastal Road: Marine Drive to Worli - Phase 1

The first 10.58 km of beach road was inaugurated in March 2024, as part of the first phase. The route begins at BD Somani Chowk, 280 metres before the Princess Street Flyover on Marine Drive, and links to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) at Worli. Previously, it took almost 40 minutes to traverse this distance. However, with the renovation completed, the travel time was decreased to approximately 12 minutes.

The project comprised the construction of a stilted bridge, an elevated road, and twin tunnels through the Malabar Hills. In addition, green spaces, a sea or breakwater wall, and several crossroads for traffic displacement are provided. It also has an 8-lane road that was rescued from the water. As part of the landscaping, trees were planted along the road, and seating areas were constructed for tourists and visitors. Cycle lanes, outdoor theaters, parks, playgrounds, and public restrooms are also being created.

The Mumbai Coastal Road - Northbound Bridge was inaugurated.

On Sunday, January 26th, 2025, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde opened the northbound bridge connecting the Mumbai Coastal Road to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The bridge's overall length, built using the "Bo Arch String Girder" design, is 827 metres, with 699 metres stretching over the water and the remaining 128 metres extending on land.
 

Aside from the bridge, the chief minister opened three more interchanges that would connect moving traffic to the Lotus Junction, Lower Parel, Worli, and Prabhadevi neighbourhoods.
 

The Mumbai Coastal Road is currently 94 percent complete. It will be fully operational once the Prabhadevi Connector is completed in February 2025 (tentative schedule). Aside from that, the Chief Minister officially opened the crossroads from Marine Drive to Prabhadevi. This intersection would connect Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk to the Sea Bridge and the intercity route to Bandra, reducing local traffic congestion.
 

The seaside road will be open to motorists from 7 a.m. to midnight. Needless to add, the opening of the North Channel Bridge marks a key milestone in the first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP), which was partially launched in March 2024. It will shorten the overall travel time between Marine Drive and Bandra to 10 minutes (down from an hour previously).
 

By the end of February, the promenade and public underpasses are expected to be open. People will have new areas to relax and enjoy. The southbound lane from Worli to Marine Drive and the northbound lane from Marine Drive to Worli, which connects to the Sea Link, are currently open and in operation.

Mumbai Coastal Road - Completed Packages
 

The project contained three civil packages, as shown below.
 

Package 1 covers the 3.82 km distance between Priyadarshini Park and Baroda Palace.
 

Number of lanes: eight
 

Contractor: Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
 

Package cost is Rs. 7,489 crore (P1 and P4).
 

The multilevel Haji Ali intersection, located inside Haji Ali Bay, links to Abdul Gaffar Khan Road.
 

Package 2 covers the distance from Baroda Palace at Haji Ali to the Worli end of the Bandra Worli Sea Link, which is 2.23 kilometers.
 

Number of lanes: eight
 

completion time: 48 months (4 years)
 

Contractor: HCC-HDC JV (Hindustan Construction Company and Hyundai Development Corporation).
 

Package Cost: Rs. 2,126 crore.
 

Package 3 includes a 3.93 km flyover from Princess Street to Priyadarshini Park, with twin tunnels under the Malabar hills.
 

Number of lanes: 6 (2 x 2 lanes + 1 emergency)
 

Contractor: Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
 

Package cost is Rs. 7,489 crore (P1 and P4).
 

Note: Construction of the southbound tunnel began in January 2021, with a milestone completed in January 2022. The tunnel was built for the first time using India's largest TBM (tunnel boring machine), dubbed "Mawla".

Mumbai Coastal Road Route Map

The BMC's costly and enormous coastline road project will surely reduce travel time for Mumbai residents commuting between South Mumbai and the city's remote western suburbs. The toll-free expressway on Marine Drive connects to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) in Worli. Following the sea link, the route connects Versova and leads to Bhayandar (in Thane) via Dahisar. At this point, it joins the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway.

Mumbai Coastal Road - Pending Work & Challenges 
 

Though several sections are functioning, other important pieces are still under construction:
 

Interchange Arms: Five interchange arms at Worli and two at Haji Ali remain under development.
 

Car Parks: Several parking lots, including those at Breach Candy, Haji Ali, and Worli, are scheduled to be finished by 2026.
 

Reclaimed Land Development: The creation of 70 hectares of open space on reclaimed land is still pending, with no set date.

Phase 2 (North Extension): Groundbreaking and Active Status.

The Mumbai Coastal Road Phase 2 is no longer merely a blueprint. Following the successful completion of the Phase 1 connections in South Mumbai, the attention has switched totally to the Versova-Dahisar-Bhayandar extension.

The "Green Light" for 2026

The project passed a significant legal and environmental milestone in late January 2026. The BMC acquired the final 'working permit' from the Maharashtra Mangrove Cell. According to the officials, this was the final hurdle needed to launch heavy development in sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) locations. Preliminary development began in non-CRZ zones (such as Dindoshi and Goregaon) in 2025.
 

Important Information About the Versova-Dahisar-Bhayandar Link
 

This extension is a large project that effectively 'completes' the western highway plan.
 

Project Scope: A 26.3-kilometer high-speed route between Versova and Bhayander.

Total investment: Around Rs 22,000 crore.

The 'Seven Package' Strategy: To meet the demanding deadline, the BMC divided the work into seven simultaneous packages. This allows officials to continue construction work on various areas. These parts include elevated stilt roads leading to twin tunnels under Malabar-like terrain in the north.

The DBLR Connection: The final link is the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road (DBLR), which will skip the Dahisar Check Naka's nightmare traffic, cutting the journey from 60 minutes to 5 minutes.

Target completion date: December 2028.

With the environmental 'knot' untied and contractors already on-site, the government has set an ambitious deadline of December 2028 for complete operational readiness.

Value Add Note: For property investors, this is the'sweet spot' phase. Real estate markets in Kandivali, Dahisar, and Mira-Bhayandar are already experiencing an increase in inquiries as the 'Coastal Road effect' spreads north, following the 20% to 30% appreciation observed in Worli and Tardeo during Phase 1.

Mumbai Coastal Road: Real Estate Impact

Mumbai's coastal road is altering the real estate market. It improves connectivity. It reduces travel time significantly. Homes and offices on the route are in high demand.

Property prices in the western suburbs have risen by 5-15% since the road was revealed. These include homes in Andheri, Bandra, Goregaon, Kandivali, and Borivali. Flats in Worli, Marine Drive, and Tardeo in South Mumbai saw even greater gains, with prices rising by up to 20-30% in two years.

Improved transit from Marine Drive or Worli to Kandivali cuts the trip time from more over two hours to less than 40 minutes. This attracts buyers from various micro-markets, increasing residential and commercial demand.

Rustomjee Vista Bay at Parel Extension Nearest to Coastal Road

An address where every home is a work of art, with views of the sea from every room & easy access to everything in the city,

The need for office space in Nariman Point and Colaba may increase. Businesses may return to these historic CBD districts thanks to improved road access.

Developers are launching high-end flats on Malabar Hill, Marine Drive, and Worli. There is also renewed interest in redeveloping historic structures in central regions.

Suburban areas are likewise more appealing due to their shorter travel times. Families from southern or central Mumbai may relocate to areas such as Kandivali and Borivali. The demand for larger units there is increasing.

Real Estate Impact at a Glance
 

Major Localities Along Mumbai Coastal Road

Mahalakshmi 

Mahalakshmi is Mumbai's elite residential neighbourhood and an affluent residential address. The proximity to the sea and excellent connectivity to the job centers of Lower Parel and Worli have affected real estate demand in this neighborhood. The Bandra Worli Sea Link, located 5 kilometers away, connects Mahalakshmi to the city's western suburbs. On the other hand, the Eastern Expressway connects the region to Thane and Navi Mumbai.

Marine Drive

Marine Drive, popularly known as Queens Necklace, is a three-kilometer-long seaside promenade and one of South Mumbai's most affluent locations. This six-lane road is one of the city's most popular tourist spots. There are numerous restaurants along this road that serve delicious chats and other delicacies. Other significant areas in South Mumbai include Malabar Hill, Churchgate, and Girgaon.

Nariman Point

Nariman Point is one of Mumbai's well-known commercial hubs and is surrounded by prominent localities such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Fort, Dush Wadi and Colaba. The locality is home to some famous residential developments, namely Harbour Heights, Cusrow Baug, Pal Court, Milttal Cousrt, and Ivan Hoe, to name a few.

Excellent public transport connectivity, easy access to numerous employment hubs and the presence of well-established social infrastructure have made Nariman Point a preferred destination among both homebuyers and investors.

Worli

Worli is Mumbai's most affluent and expensive residential area. It is located between the Bandra-Kurla Complex and Nariman Point, two of the city's major economic districts. Some of the city's leading developers provide premium high-rise residences. The neighborhood also has a number of upscale hotels, entertainment venues, shopping malls, and fine dining options.

Connectivity via the Bandra-Worli sea link is one of the area's most significant assets. The availability of high-quality educational and healthcare institutions makes the area more attractive for investment and relocation. Some of the most well-known tourist attractions in the area include Haji Ali Dargah, Nehru Planetarium, and Worli Fort.

Background for Mumbai Coastal Road

The Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) development started in October 2018. However, plan met strong criticism from locals, environmentalists, and the Koliwada fishery community. Environmental activists questioned the project's environmental impact. The fishermen's community was concerned about the impact of the project on their livelihood. The villagers were concerned that they would no longer be able to enjoy the sea view.

After receiving numerous petitions, the Bombay High Court halted building work in April 2019. The Supreme Court finally gave BMC permission to proceed with the project in May 2019.

According to the BMC, the proposed project requires 111 hectares from the sea. Approximately 70 hectares of the total land will be used for recreational purposes. The BMC further indicated that no commercial work will be permitted in this area of the site.

Summing Up on Mumbai Coastal Road

The Mumbai Coastal Road project would give much-needed relief from high traffic and improve vehicle flow between the freeway and local roads. Aside from creating 70 hectares of green space, the project will help to reduce pollution in the city.

Investors also believe that the project, which spans several key residential areas, has the potential to boost the city's real estate market. Not only will it improve transit lines, but it will also boost housing demand in the surrounding communities.