Mumbai: A viral video has exposed substandard patchwork on the Mumbai Coastal Road project, drawing sharp criticism from Mumbaikars. The video, recorded from a car's dashboard, reveals poorly executed road patches on the much-anticipated mega infrastructure project by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The footage, shared by a user named Eternal Drift on social media platform X, sparked widespread outrage. The post read, "This is beyond disappointing. Mumbai’s ₹14,000 crore Coastal Road already looks like patchwork. I feel betrayed—this was supposed to be world-class infrastructure. L&T and BMC must be held accountable. Is this what we paid for?"
Taking to X on February 20, BMC responded to the tweet by saying that the pre-monsoon asphalting of Haji Ali bridge's northbound carriageway caused the separation at the joints.
"The asphalting work on the Northbound Carriageway of the bridge at Haji Ali was completed during the pre-monsoon period, which resulted in some separation at the joints of the work done in the subsequent days," the tweet read.
The BMC further added, "This was temporarily repaired using mastic asphalt during the monsoon to prevent further damage. These patches will be milled as required, and a new asphalting layer will be applied as per the specifications. The work is being planned accordingly."
Have a look at the tweet here:
The X user claimed that the video was shot on Feb 18, however, there are no confirmed reports of when the clip was captured. The video quickly went viral, prompting numerous reactions from netizens. Many criticised the BMC and project authorities for the shoddy quality of work, questioning the use of public funds. Some highlighted Mumbai's chronic road quality issues, while others warned that the real test would come during the monsoon, when such patchwork might not withstand heavy rains.
Check some reactions here:
Key Interchange At Haji Ali Juice Centre Opened For Public
This controversy arose shortly after the inauguration of a new interchange arm of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) on February 12. The new stretch connects Haji Ali Juice Centre to Marine Drive, marking progress in the project’s completion. The final segment, connecting the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) to Lotus Jetty-Worli Naka, is expected to open by mid-March.
The 10.58-km-long coastal road extends from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of BWSL. It features multi-level interchanges at Haji Ali, Peddar Road (Amarsons Garden), and Worli Sea Face. The Peddar Road interchange includes four entry and exit arms, while Haji Ali and Worli interchanges offer eight and five arms, respectively.
Since the opening of the new route, commuters have seen major benefits, with travel time between Bandra and Marine Drive reduced to just 10-12 minutes. The coastal road has provided a valuable alternative route, easing congestion on Mumbai's busy city roads and enhancing daily commutes for thousands of residents.
The ambitious Coastal Road project began construction in October 2018 with a budget of Rs 13,983 crore and aims to transform Mumbai’s coastal commute. According to BMC, the project has already cut travel time by 70 per cent and reduced fuel consumption by 34 per cent.
However, the viral video has cast a shadow over these achievements, raising concerns about the quality and durability of the infrastructure. Many are now demanding accountability from both the BMC and project contractors to ensure Mumbai’s coastal road meets the promised world-class standards.
