Mumbai’s New 5.25 km Promenade Along Coastal Road to Open on Independence Day
A new 5.25 km promenade along the Mumbai Coastal Road between Marine Lines and Worli will be open to the public on Independence Day. This marks the first new major seafront public space in South Mumbai since the development of the Marine Drive promenade in the 1930s.
The seafront stretch includes green spaces, ornamental and native coastal vegetation, and has been developed as an eco-conscious recreational zone. The promenade is part of the ambitious Mumbai Coastal Road Project, which is being developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The promenade will be dedicated to the nation by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on August 14 through a video link from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) new administrative headquarters in Bandra (East). Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will also attend the inauguration.
The first phase of the 7.5 km-long promenade includes the 5.25 km-long stretch that will be open for people, while the remaining part will be opened in the future. Most works of the project are complete, except for the works in parking lots and open spaces in the reclaimed area.
The new promenade is designed to serve both as a recreational area and a fitness zone, with cycling tracks, shaded seating, and extensive landscaping. Access to the promenade will be free, and citizens can reach it through new underpasses at four locations: Bhulabhai Desai Road, Haji Ali Junction, Worli Dairy, and Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk near Worli seaface.
All underpasses include stairways and ramps to ensure accessibility for cyclists and persons with disabilities. Wheelchair access and inclusive design features have been incorporated throughout the promenade to make it accessible to everyone.
The more than 3.5 km long Marine Drive promenade, also known as the Queen's Necklace, stretches between Nariman Point and Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the city. After its first inauguration in March 2024, the Mumbai Coastal Road will be open round the clock from August 15. From midnight on Friday, the road will be open for traffic 24 hours a day, instead of the current schedule from 7 am to 12 midnight.
This new promenade is expected to enhance the quality of life for Mumbai residents and provide a much-needed recreational space along the coastal area. The development aligns with the city's efforts to create more public spaces and improve urban infrastructure.
