- By Deeksha Gour
- Thu, 12 Sep 2024 02:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mumbai News: Motorists in Mumbai can soon enjoy a quicker route to the airport, with a new section of the Coastal Road connector opening partially on Friday, just a day after its inauguration. This north-bound route from Marine Drive to the international terminal (T2) is expected to cut down travel time to approximately 30 minutes, compared to the usual 90 minutes to two hours during peak traffic.
While the Coastal Road from Marine Drive to Worli is already operational, one arm of the connector bridge leading to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link has been under construction. The opening of this new section will allow drivers to access the Sea Link more efficiently, enabling smoother transitions towards Bandra and then onto the Western Express Highway, which leads directly to the airport.
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Currently, the Coastal Road journey takes about 10 minutes, and an additional 10 minutes to cross the Sea Link, although these times are based on minimal traffic conditions.
Times Of India report quoted Dr Nilesh Baxi, a Tardeo resident who previously campaigned to save Tata Garden from demolition for the project, as expressing his concerns that the traffic congestion at the Sea Link toll booth might worsen. He pointed out that, despite the Coastal Road, traffic jams persist in the area.
On Thursday afternoon, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is expected to inaugurate the new 800-metre stretch of the Coastal Road from Worli to the Sea Link. Although this section is designed for southbound traffic, it will temporarily accommodate northbound vehicles during peak hours to alleviate congestion on Abdul Gaffar Khan Road in Worli.
Construction on the remaining arm of the bridge is anticipated to continue until December, with plans for open space development and parking facilities expected to last until April next year.