Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis has announced regarding extending the under-construction Coastal Road from Nariman Point in Mumbai to Virar in Palghar district. This project, once completed, will reduce travel time between Nariman Point and Virar to just 35 to 40 minutes, bringing relief to commuters, and will improve connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The extension of the Coastal Road will be funded by the Japanese government, with investment of Rs 54,000 crore. The Deputy Chief Minister further outlined that the tender for the Versova to Madh link of the Coastal Road project has already been floated, and work on the Madh to Uttan link will commence soon.

The ongoing Coastal Road project is an eight-lane, 29.2 km expressway which stretches along Mumbai’s western coastline, connecting Marine Lines in the south to Kandivali in the north. The first phase of the project, covering a 10.58 km stretch from the Princess Street flyover to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, was inaugurated on 11 March, 2024.

The project is expected to enhance the region’s infrastructure and contribute to its overall economic growth.