While the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) has improved connectivity between South Mumbai and the suburbs, it has also created a major traffic bottleneck at the Mukesh Chowk signal on Nepeansea Road. Residents and MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha are pressing the BMC to open a new southbound exit near Breach Candy to alleviate congestion for Nepeansea Road and Malabar Hill commuters. 

The Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF) raised the issue with the traffic department after observing increased congestion since the Coastal Road’s Phase 1 launch. At a BMC meeting, MLA Lodha demanded an exit approximately 100 meters before the existing Breach Candy interchange and warned he would escalate the matter to CM Devendra Fadnavis if the proposal is ignored. 

The 10.58 km stretch of the Coastal Road from Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link includes multiple interchanges, including one at Bhulabhai Desai Road. A BCRF study indicated that over 60% of vehicles exiting at Amarsons Garden proceed toward Nepeansea Road or Malabar Hill. 

Residents argue that a new exit would ease traffic and prevent future cost escalations. They also expressed concern that the operational Coastal Road has brought a surge in traffic volume, worsening local congestion. 

Separately, the BMC has appointed Pawan Hans Ltd to conduct a feasibility study for a helipad at Worli Jetty, agreeing to a consultancy fee of Rs 500,000. The helipad will be built on a retained jetty originally used for the Coastal Road project, unlike the dismantled Amarsons Garden jetty, and is currently used for coastal police surveillance. 

(freepressjournal)