The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to bridge a crucial gap in Mumbai's ambitious Coastal Road project by constructing a new promenade segment connecting Lotus Jetty and the historic Baroda Palace in Worli. This vital link will enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists along the city's western coastline.
Project Details and Specifications
The civic body has floated a tender for constructing a 325-meter-long promenade that will span 8 meters in width, with a dedicated 2-meter cycle track. The project comes with an estimated cost of Rs 9.64 crore and is expected to be completed within six months once work begins.
This missing link became necessary after the BMC opened the first phase of the 7.5-kilometer promenade on August 15. The inaugurated sections included a 5.5-kilometer stretch between Priyadarshini Park and Haji Ali Juice Centre, along with another segment from Poonam Chambers to the bowstring arch bridge in Worli.
Addressing Connectivity Challenges
The current promenade alignment runs continuously from Priyadarshini Park to Lotus Jetty but experiences a break before resuming from Baroda Palace up to Worli's J K Kapoor Chowk. Officials explained that the gap existed due to a navigation bridge along the stretch's alignment.
An official highlighted another crucial reason for constructing this link: "Since there is no road linking this proposed police chowki from Lotus Jetty, it is necessary to construct this link to ensure access for people up to this police chowki at Worli." The BMC has proposed establishing a new police chowki at Samudra Mahal near Baroda Palace to enhance surveillance in the area.
Broader Coastal Road Development
This promenade forms part of the larger 70 hectares of open spaces being developed from the 111 hectares of reclaimed land for the Coastal Road project. While the landward side is planned for forests and themed zones, the seaward side is being developed as a 7.5-kilometer Marine Drive-like promenade.
In preparation for this project, the BMC secured necessary Coastal Regulation Zone clearances from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority back in June. Meanwhile, the remaining unopened 1.5-kilometer stretch of the promenade, where a car park is under construction, is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
