The much-anticipated Mumbai Coastal Road project is set to be fully operational by February, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced during the inauguration of the North Channel Bridge. This new bridge connects the Coastal Road with the Worli-Bandra Sea Link and includes three inter-modal crossings to benefit commuters from Worli, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, and Lotus Junction. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also attended the event. CM Fadnavis, in a post on social media platform X, highlighted that 94% of the Coastal Road work is complete and assured that the Prabhadevi Connector will be finished in February, enabling the road’s full launch. He emphasised that the project will significantly reduce travel time and help mitigate pollution for Mumbai residents. Expressing gratitude, he added, “I thank all the officers, engineers, BMC employees, contractors, and construction workers for their dedication and hard work in successfully completing this landmark project.” According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), traffic on the Coastal Road officially commenced on January 27, 2025, with operational hours set from 7:00 AM to 12:00 midnight daily. Between March 12 and December 31, 2024, over 5 million vehicles utilised the Coastal Road, with an average daily count of 18,000–20,000 vehicles, according to PTI. Key features • Length: 827 meters (699 meters above sea and a 128-meter access road). • Bo Arch String Girder: 143 meters long, 27 meters wide, 31 meters high, and weighing 2,400 metric tonnes. Highlights • Cost: Rs 127.21 billion (excluding rehabilitation, acquisition, and landscaping). • Road Specifications: Total span of 10.58 km, including twin tunnels of 3.45 km each, with an internal diameter of 11 meters and three lanes per tunnel. • Design: An eight-lane configuration aimed at easing congestion and boosting connectivity. The Coastal Road promises to transform daily commutes and enhance the quality of life for Mumbaikars by offering faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly travel options. (ET)