Why Mumbai’s Coastal Road Promenade Could Redefine Urban Living

Mumbai has always measured itself against the sea. From the sweeping curve of Marine Drive to the bustling Gateway promenade, the city’s identity is tied to its shoreline. Now, with the newly opened Coastal Road Promenade, Mumbai has gained another dramatic waterfront stage. But unlike the older icons, this one is more than a place to stroll or gaze at sunsets.

The Coastal Road Promenade is not simply a “New Marine Drive,” It has greater potential: in planning, in resource, in breadth of uses. 

The promenade, recently opened to the public, is designed as a multipurpose corridor: a wide pedestrian walkway, a dedicated cycle track, special lanes for electric BEST buses (Route A-84), and a separate carriageway for four-wheelers. Access points have been thoughtfully provided through pedestrian underpasses at Bhulabhai Desai Road, Haji Ali Junction, Worli Dairy, and Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk, with ramps and stairways to make the space usable for people of all mobility levels.

But such potential remains fragile. Its long-term success depends on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) resolve, consistent civic discipline, and the everyday upkeep that Mumbai’s public spaces often lack.

Spanning 5.25 kilometers from Priyadarshini Park to Worli, the promenade is more than a physical addition to the city. It is a canvas for Mumbai’s evolving identity, set against the Arabian Sea. The BMC has begun addressing basic needs by installing bio-toilets at key points such as Worli Sea Face and Mahalaxmi. Yet challenges remain: garbage bins are insufficient, maintenance uneven, and the electric bus service currently runs at long intervals of 40–45 minutes, though there are plans to reduce this to 20 minutes depending on demand.

The Coastal Road Promenade is an ambitious experiment in rethinking Mumbai’s waterfront. Whether it becomes a cherished landmark or just another underutilized stretch of infrastructure will depend on collective effort, from the city’s administrators and, equally, from its citizens.