Now, Mumbai's Marine Drive to CSMIA T2 in 30 minutes

MUMBAI: Imagine driving from south Mumbai to the international terminal of the airport in just about 30 minutes. Motorists can look forward to a signal-free drive from Marine Drive to T2 as the north-bound Coastal Road connector to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is set to partially open on Friday, a day after its inauguration.
This journey would normally take 90 minutes to two hours on a heavy traffic day.But the Coastal Road could speed up the traffic flow.
The Coastal Road from Marine Drive to Worli has been operational, but one arm of the connector bridge to the Sea Link is under construction. With the new section opening, motorists will be able to access the Sea Link, continue to Bandra, and then take Western Express Highway to the airport.

Currently, it takes less than 10 minutes to drive through the Coastal Road and another 10 minutes on the Sea Link. Nandini Chabria, a member of the Breach Candy Residents Forum, said this duration assumes minimal traffic and non-peak hours. "We frequently encounter traffic jams at the Breach Candy and Worli exits, which highlights the importance of good last-mile connectivity. If it's lacking, the entire project's benefits cannot be reaped, especially when it's built at such a high cost. That has not been an issue with Marine Drive, where exits are smooth," said Chabria. "During non-peak hours, zooming through the road is a breeze."
Tardeo resident Dr Nilesh Baxi, who had fought legally to save Tata Garden at Breach Candy from being axed for the project, said, "The traffic pile-up at the Sea Link toll booth may only increase with vehicles coming in from the Coastal Road and then landing on the link. The congestion at Breach Candy shows that despite the Coastal Road, traffic jams in the area remain."

On Thursday afternoon, chief minister Eknath Shinde is likely to flag off the opening of the 800-metre coastal road stretch from Worli up to the Sea Link. While this is the southbound arm of the bridge, it has been decided to use it for northbound traffic to ease traffic congestion during the evening at Abdul Gaffar Khan Road, Worli.
Work on the other arm of the bridge is expected to go on till December, with work on the development of open spaces to begin thereafter. Construction of parking lots is expected to go on till April next year.