Mumbai's Coastal Road project reached a significant milestone with the opening of its northbound arm, inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The new section, extending from Marine Drive to Haji Ali and Lotus Junction, is now operational, offering relief from the city's notorious traffic.

The road, which is operational from 7 AM to 11 PM on weekdays, is designed to streamline traffic flow and shorten commute times. It includes specific entry and exit points to manage traffic efficiently. Entry is permitted at Marine Drive (Princes Street Bridge) and Amarsons Garden, while exits are at Vatsalabai Desai Chowk (Haji Ali Junction) and Barrister Rajni Patel Chowk (Lotus Junction). This arm is exclusively for four-wheeler vehicles and passenger buses, with restrictions on heavy vehicles, two-wheelers, and pedestrians.

The Coastal Road features a speed limit of 80 km/h on straight sections, 60 km/h in tunnels, and 40 km/h at turning points. The project's southbound arm, operational since March, has already demonstrated positive impacts on traffic flow. Completion of the entire Coastal Road, including its connection to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is expected by October 2024.

This development is part of a broader effort to modernise Mumbai's infrastructure and improve urban mobility, promising significant benefits for daily commuters and the city's overall traffic management?