Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, March 11, inaugurated the first phase of the coastal road connecting Worli and Marine Drive in South Mumbai. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with several dignitaries. This infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and contribute to environmental sustainability. (Image: Eknath Shinde/X)
After the inauguration, CM Shinde and other dignitaries flagged off electric buses of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) ferrying women and a vintage car rally on the coastal road. (Image: Eknath Shinde/X)
A 10.5-kilometre-long stretch, motorists can enter the coastal road from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange and Amarson's interchange points, and exit at Marine Lines. (Image: Reuters)
The work on the ambitious project started on October 13, 2018, and its projected cost is Rs 12,721 crore. A world-class Central Park spread over several acres will come up along the road, named 'Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road', PTI quoted CM Shinde. (Image: Eknath Shinde/X)
He said the coastal road was built using advanced technology and called it an "engineering marvel". All precautions have been taken for the safety of people on this road, he said, adding that its second phase will be opened to traffic in May.
The coastal road will be connected to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and from there onwards it will be extended up to Dahisar, he said. The 53-km-long coastal road will help the people save fuel and time, besides reducing pollution, the CM said.
The coastal road has been named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (son of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and opened on the occasion of the former's death anniversary, Shinde noted. A statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj will be erected in Worli, next to the coastal road, Shinde said. (Image: Eknath Shinde/X)
The CM said 175 acres of green space is being developed as part of the coastal road project, besides 120 acres for racecourse land. Thus, Mumbai will get a Central Park spread over around 300 acres, he added. Without naming former CM Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde blamed the previous government for putting a "speed breaker" in the way of the project. (Image: PTI)
Shinde and Fadnavis targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray and his MLA son Aaditya over the latter's social media posts seeking to take credit for the coastal road development. Fadnavis said despite then being the chief minister, Thackeray had not invited him for the project's ground-breaking ceremony. (Image: PTI)