MMRDA hastens ₹2,000-cr Coastal Road project

The Thane Coastal Road, aimed at easing traffic congestion off the Ghodbunder Road, has reached the bidding stage. Recently, the project features were analyzed by the MCZMA in a meeting and recommended to the Ministry of Environment for clearance. The MMRDA has simultaneously initiated the bidding process for the project, which will cost about ₹2,000 crore and include interchanges at either end, one midway, and a few other modifications, according to Metropolitan Commissioner SVR Srinivas.

The Coastal Road was initially a Development Plan of the TMC, but it was later modified and taken over by the MMRDA as the project entailed several permissions and escalating budget beyond the capability of the civic body to execute it.

The road starts from Kharegaon Toll Naka on Mumbai Nashik Highway (NH-3) and ends at Ghodbunder State Highway (SH-42) near Gaimukh bordering the SGNP Eco Sensitive Zone. The 13.2-km-long road, which is 40 to 45m wide, will be constructed on 56.78 ha land, most of which has already been acquired by the Thane Municipal Corporation. It is considered a crucial alternative connector between NH3, Old Agra Road, SH-4, and the Virar - Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, which will divert heavy goods traffic currently using the Ghodbunder Road and traveling between Gujarat, North India, and JNPT.