300-cr bridge to link Coastal Rd at Haji Ali with arterial Parel path | Mumbai News

Mumbai: A new elevated road is being proposed to connect Senapati Bapat Marg — leading towards Phoenix Mills and Kamla Mills — with the Haji Ali end of Lala Lajpatrai Road, where the coastal road has designated entry and exit points. If it goes as planned, people travelling from the crowded areas of Parel, Dadar, Matunga, and Mahim could soon reach the coastal road near Haji Ali junction within minutes.The proposed six-lane elevated corridor, currently a missing link in the city’s east-west connectivity, will skirt along the edge of Mahalaxmi Racecourse and pass near the NSCI Dome. Officials from the urban development department said the project will not require any land acquisition, nor will it disrupt the existing flow of traffic during construction.The viaduct will begin near the coastal road’s entry/exit on Lala Lajpatrai Road, pass through open areas alongside the race track and stadia, and land near the E Moses Road end of Senapati Bapat Marg. From there, motorists will have seamless access to Gokhale Road, Lady Jamshed Road, Bhavani Shankar Road, NM Joshi Marg, and onward to key locations like Siddhivinayak Temple, Shivaji Park, Lower Parel, and Mahim.Although the final project estimate is yet to be determined, the 1.5-km-long corridor is likely to cost Rs 250-300 crore. The new link is expected to offer a major reduction in travel time — by as much as 30 minutes during peak hours — and decongest several traffic chokepoints.At present, traffic coming from Haji Ali (via Tardeo, Pedder Road, Bhulabhai Desai Road, or the coastal road) must take a long detour through Worli Naka (via Annie Besant Road or Pandurang Budhkar Marg), Nehru Science Centre road, or Keshavrao Khadye Marg-Dr E Moses Road, loop around the racecourse and NSCI Dome to reach Dadar. Southbound traffic from Dadar and Parel must follow the same roundabout route.Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, whose office unveiled the proposal in coordination with the public works department (PWD), called the project a transformative move for the city’s infrastructure. While implementing agencies are yet to be finalised, the plan has been received positively due to its promise to cut travel time and ease congestion without displacing people or requiring land acquisition. Shinde said: “It is more than just an infrastructure project; it’s a visionary step toward Mumbai’s future. Our goal is to make the city traffic jam-free. This signal-free corridor will enable smooth, uninterrupted travel. We are committed to building a faster, cleaner MMR that respects Mumbaikars’ time and space.”