Coastal Road is a proposed project which will consist of 8-lane, 29.2-km long freeway that would run along Mumbai's western coastline connecting Marine Lines in the south to Kandivali in the north. The Coastal Road is projected to be used by 1,30,000 vehicles daily and is expected to reduce travel time between South Mumbai and the Western Suburbs from 2 hours to 40 minutes.
In a recent conclave titled 'Climate Crisis: Action for Tropical Coastal Cities' that was organised by Mumbai First- a public-private enterprise, Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi elaborated on the benefits of Coastal Road. He pointed out how Netherland and Dubai have been benefited from similar Coastal Roads.
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Talking about the same, BMC Chief Praveen Pardeshi said, "People state that Coastal Road is the costliest road but they fail to see that we're building new land. People are against the reclamation of the sea, but Dubai and Netherland have been successful in land reclamation. Coastal Road will enhance the environment further as we're using eco-concrete material. The new modification of the coastline may have its own consequences, at worse, there can be a two-degree rise in the temperature. The predicted sea-level rise will be roughly about two metres, but the parts which are facing the coastal road will be free of inundations and if this seems outlandish."
He further said, Can a population of 18 million in Mumbai survive with just 11 per cent area and public streets? The coastal road is the only way to add space and provide unparalleled connectivity, given the geography of the city. The major challenge in the city is that there is less public space but more wasted private open spaces."
Also Read: Coastal Road Project: Questions raised in regards to land reclaimed
The estimated cost of the Coastal Road project is ₹14,000 crores.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2020. The project is being delayed due to Coronavirus as the Tunnel Boring equipment was to be imported from China.
Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak in China causes delay in Mumbai's Coastal Road Project
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