Mumbai Coastal Road Project: 2nd Marine Drive Ready, But 7.47-Km Sea-Facing Promenade Still Awaits Public Opening

Mumbai: After a series of delays, the long-awaited sea-facing promenade along the Mumbai Coastal Road stands completed last week. Spanning 7.47 km in length and 20 metres in width, this massive stretch runs parallel to the Coastal Road from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli -end of the Bandra–Worli Sea Link—that’s twice the length of Marine Drive.

Of the total stretch, 5.25 km is currently set to be opened to the public. However, the promenade remains off-limits, as its grand opening hangs in limbo, awaiting the final nod from the state government.

Promenade Completed, But Access Restricted

Work on two key stretches of the Coastal Road promenade—a 2.75 km section from Tata Garden to Haji Ali and a 2.5 km stretch between Lovegrove Nullah (Worli Gutter) and B.M. Thackeray Chowk—was completed by mid-July.

Access to the promenade will initially be available through six designated entry points, including Tata Garden, Haji Ali Juice Centre, Mahalaxmi Temple, and three locations in Worli. With the remaining 2.25 km stretch expected to take another two years to complete, the BMC has opted to open the two finished sections to the public within the month of July.

"All the work on the two sections was completed nearly two weeks ago, but we are still awaiting an official date for the promenade’s opening. As of now, entry remains restricted and barricades have been placed," said a civic official.

People Still Access Promenade Via Worli Side

"Still, people from the Worli side manage to access the promenade via the pedestrian underpass, as the distance between the main road and the Coastal Road is minimal," the official added.

Awaiting CM Devendra Fadnavis’ Availability

According to sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to inaugurate the promenade, and civic officials are currently waiting for confirmation of his availability before proceeding with the public opening.

BMC Gets Clearance for More Construction

The BMC has recently received clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to begin work on another segment of the promenade between Haji Ali and Baroda Palace.

However, plans to develop a 1-km promenade near the Haji Ali parking area have been delayed. According to officials, this section may be damaged due to the piling work required for the upcoming underground parking facility at Haji Ali.

Future Construction To Begin Post-Monsoon

"Construction on the Haji Ali parking project is scheduled to begin post-monsoon, in October. The remaining promenade segment in that zone at Lotus jetty will take an additional two years to complete. Meantime, another 1.25 km stretch at Worli, near JK Kapur Chowk, is expected to open next month," said an official.

RIL To Develop 53 Hectares of Open Space

The BMC has appointed Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to develop 53 hectares of reclaimed open space along the Coastal Road under a Rs 400-crore project, fully funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions. RIL will submit a detailed landscape design for approval under CRZ norms and Supreme Court directives.

Promenade Part of ₹13,984-Crore Coastal Road Project

The Coastal Road project features a 10.58-km, 8-lane expressway connecting Worli to Marine Drive, with an estimated cost of Rs 13,984 crore. The promenade, a key component of the Coastal Road project, is expected to become a major attraction for walkers, joggers, and cyclists alike.