Mumbai’s bustling streets are about to get a little bit less congested, thanks to the inauguration of a new ‘bow-string’ arch bridge connecting the Coastal Road to the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde officially opened the bridge on Thursday, September 12th, marking a significant milestone in the city’s infrastructure development.
The arch bridge, a key component of the ambitious Coastal Road project, promises to dramatically improve connectivity and reduce travel times for commuters. What once took nearly an hour to navigate from Marine Drive to Bandra can now be accomplished in a mere 10 minutes, thanks to the direct connection between the Coastal Road and the Sea Link.
The Coastal Road project, estimated to cost around ₹ 14,000 crore, is designed to provide a seamless and efficient route for commuters. The inauguration of the arch bridge, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, is a significant development for the city.
“This project, earlier it used to take 45 minutes to 1 hour to travel from Marine Drive to Bandra, but now it will be a journey of just 10 minutes,” Eknath Shinde declared at the inauguration. “This is a very comfortable and relaxing project for the people, a very ambitious and game-changing project for the people of Mumbai.”
The Chief Minister also emphasized the benefits of the improved connectivity: “Vehicles used to run bumper-to-bumper on this route, but today we will travel faster, people will save time, people will save fuel, pollution will be reduced and it is signal-free. When we opened this span last time, we had said that on September 15, we will open it. Today is the 13th, we did this before time, this is our commitment,” he told ANI.
Shinde went on to promise further improvements to Mumbai’s infrastructure: “In the next 2 years, the whole of Mumbai will have completely concrete roads, there will not be a single pothole and Mumbai will be completely pothole-free and it is being beautified,” he said.
The inauguration of the arch bridge marks a significant step towards a smoother, more efficient and aesthetically pleasing commute in Mumbai, bringing hope for a more convenient and enjoyable journey for the city’s residents.
