Mumbai: The long-awaited and much-debated Mumbai Coastal Road Project has encountered yet another setback, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announcing a revised timeline for the complete opening of the road. While a portion of the northbound lane is slated to become operational by June 10, commuters will have to exercise patience until October 2024 to traverse the entire stretch from Marine Drive to Worli. The project, originally scheduled for completion in 2022, has been marred by controversies and delays, with the latest development adding to the woes of Mumbaikars eagerly anticipating the road's unveiling.
Initially, there were expectations that the full Phase 2 of the project would be open within 10 days, following the Chief Minister's announcement of opening another lane by June 10. However, BMC officials have since clarified that only the tunnel segment starting from Marine Drive to Haji Ali will be accessible to traffic next month. Citing labor shortages and impending monsoon conditions as contributing factors, a BMC official involved with the Coastal Road Project elaborated, "Approximately 20% of the labor force, comprising 6,500 workers, have returned to their native places due to the summer vacation, resulting in a labor crunch.
Additionally, the upcoming monsoon season will prevent the laying of bitumen, a critical component in road construction, as it requires dry weather conditions." The official further stated, "Our plan is to open the northboun.
