Home / Business and Economy / Mumbai Coastal Road Traffic Soars 81% But Falls Short
Mumbai Coastal Road Traffic Soars 81% But Falls Short
12 Sep
Summary
- Average daily traffic on Coastal Road rose by 81% in its first year of 24/7 operation.
- Despite traffic increase, volumes remain below initial projections made during planning.
- Concerns raised about Coastal Road prioritizing private cars over public transport.
A year after commencing 24/7 operations on August 15, 2025, Mumbai's Coastal Road-south has experienced an 81% rise in average daily traffic, now serving 62,640 vehicles. This increase from approximately 34,500 vehicles per day marks a substantial usage jump following the road's availability around the clock.
Despite this growth, the current traffic volumes are still lower than the 68,000 vehicles per direction initially projected during the planning phase. The total construction cost for the project stands at Rs 13,984 crore.
Concerns have been voiced by urban planners that the road may not be reaching its full potential. Critics suggest that while road capacity has increased, this hasn't necessarily improved overall city traffic conditions, with some traffic merely being diverted.
Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the project's focus on private vehicles, with a perceived lack of corresponding investment in public transportation infrastructure like buses, pedestrian access, and two-wheeler facilities.
Supporters, however, describe the Coastal Road as a "game changer" for residents, citing improved connectivity, time savings, and fuel efficiency. They express anticipation for the road's northern extension to further streamline traffic flow, although congestion points remain in areas like Bandra.
The road has also faced operational challenges over the past two years, including fire incidents within tunnels and infrastructure theft, prompting discussions on preparedness and emergency response protocols.
Civic officials confirm that an integrated command and control center manages traffic, ventilation, and firefighting systems. They attribute delays in traffic resumption during incidents to rescue vehicle access issues caused by motorist panic, rather than system failures.
