Union Minister Piyush Goyal reviewed progress on the Mumbai Coastal Road project and said the Bandra-Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road is aimed to be completed by 2028. The scheme envisages an eight-lane high-speed expressway running along the western coast to link south Mumbai with the western suburbs. Officials outlined engineering features intended to integrate the corridor with existing arterial roads. According to the PTI, once completed the route is expected to cut travel time between south Mumbai and the western suburbs from nearly two hours to around 40 minutes. The minister said proposed interchanges and tunnel networks in north Mumbai would ease congestion on the Western Express Highway and improve east-west connectivity across the western suburbs. Planners anticipate the scheme will redistribute traffic flows and accelerate commuter movement. Mr Goyal also reviewed a proposed desalination plant project that was described as key to strengthening Mumbai's long-term water supply. The desalination plant is expected to provide drinking water to areas including Gorai, Manori, Mahavir Nagar, Borivali, Charkop and nearby regions. Officials said that concerns of the fishing community were being taken into account and that measures were being planned to protect traditional livelihoods while development proceeds. The Coastal Road, the desalination facility, the Madh-Versova Bridge and other connectivity projects together form a wider infrastructure push for the city aimed at improving transport, reducing congestion and enhancing civic facilities, officials said. Engineering designs for interchanges, tunnels and linking roads are under review to ensure multimodal integration and resilience. The projects are being scheduled to align with broader urban planning and environmental safeguards. Authorities indicated that the combined measures would offer both mobility gains and water security for coastal suburbs as construction advances. Inputs to the report were provided by the PTI.