Mumbai’s newly developed Coastal Road promenade has quickly emerged as one of the city’s most popular public spaces. To further enhance visitor comfort and accessibility, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed constructing roofing structures over pedestrian underpasses along the seafront promenade at an estimated cost of ₹19 crore.
The proposal aims to protect pedestrians from sun and rain while also improving the visual appeal and usability of entry points connecting city roads to the promenade.
Part of the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project
The roofing plan forms a small but important addition to the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project, one of the city’s largest infrastructure initiatives.
The project includes a 10.58-kilometre eight-lane expressway connecting Worli to Marine Drive, developed at an estimated cost of ₹13,984 crore. Alongside the road infrastructure, the project features a 7.47-km-long public promenade running parallel to the Arabian Sea.
Stretching from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Bandra–Worli Sea Link, the promenade is more than twice the length of the iconic Marine Drive walkway, which spans about 3.5 km.
Designed as a major recreational space, the promenade includes walking tracks, seating areas, landscaped zones, and panoramic sea views, making it a key public waterfront development for Mumbai.
Pedestrian Underpasses Ensure Safe Access
To allow safe movement between city roads and the promenade, the project includes several Pedestrian Underpasses (PuPs). These underpasses allow visitors to reach the seafront without crossing the busy coastal road above.
In total, 19 access points have been developed along the promenade.
Some key access locations include:
Bhulabhai Desai Road near the Akruti Parking Building
Vatsalabai Desai Chowk at Haji Ali Junction
Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road near Worli Milk School
Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk in Worli
The proposed roofing structures will be built above the entry and exit points of these underpasses, offering shelter and improving the overall design of the promenade access areas.
Promenade Sections Already Open
Several sections of the promenade are already open to the public and attracting significant footfall.
Currently, two major stretches are accessible:
2.75-km section from Tata Garden to Haji Ali
2.5-km stretch between Lovegrove Nullah in Worli and B. M. Thackeray Chowk
These areas have quickly become popular destinations for morning walks, evening strolls and weekend leisure activities, highlighting the growing demand for open waterfront public spaces in Mumbai.
Part of a Broader Beautification Plan
The idea of installing roofs over the pedestrian underpasses emerged during a site review conducted by authorities in December 2023, where officials assessed various design and usability aspects of the promenade.
During the visit, planners recommended several improvements, including:
Uniform footpaths
Dedicated cycling tracks
Enhanced landscaping features
Better-designed pedestrian entry points
The roofing structures are part of this broader beautification and urban design enhancement initiative, aimed at creating a more cohesive and pedestrian-friendly waterfront.
Awaiting Final Approval
The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the BMC Standing Committee. Once cleared, the project will move into the implementation phase, focusing on construction above the underpass entry points along the promenade.
Urban design experts note that such improvements, though relatively small compared with the scale of the overall coastal road project, can significantly enhance the comfort, accessibility and user experience of public spaces.
As more sections of the promenade open in the coming months, the Mumbai Coastal Road waterfront corridor is expected to evolve into one of the city’s most prominent recreational destinations.
