BMC plans to levy toll on Coastal Road: Here is all you need to know

Reportedly, the first phase of the Coastal Road is till Worli, while the second phase is from Bandra onwards. However, the construction work on the second phase has not yet begun. As per the BMC official, “The plan was to open this arm this year, but we ran out of time and delayed accommodating fishermen’s requests,” reported TOI.

When the BMC official was asked about imposing a toll, he said, “It cannot be ruled out as money from it could act to create a sinking fund to use in future infrastructure projects, like the next phase of the Coastal Road. But the toll will have to be sanctioned by the government first.”

The transport expert Ashok Datar said, “The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which was built at a cost of around ₹1,800 crore is not toll-free. The Coastal Road is over seven times more expensive than that. Why shouldn’t a toll be imposed for such a large and expensive project? If the authorities do not levy a toll, it may seem like the taxpayer is subsidising the rich car-owning population, which will not be fair.”

In the February opening, only motorists travelling southwards from Worli to Marine Drive will be allowed to access the road as entries from Bindu Madhav Thakeray Chowk, Worli, and Lotus Jetty near Haji Ali will be open. Besides, the motorists going towards the North will need to take the exit routes northwards through Breach Candy.