Mumbai Coastal Road after Atal Setu, how two projects may help ease traffic congestion in Mumbai

Mumbai's perennial traffic challenges are expected to decrease with the upcoming opening of the Mumbai Coastal Road. The project, culminating with the inauguration of the Atal Setu, is expected to transform the city's transportation landscape. The ambitious infrastructure endeavour that spans the western coastline of the city may ease traffic congestion at Mumbai's major routes but the major game-changer, the experts suggest would be the metro network in the city after it is fully operational.

The recent inauguration of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), officially named Atal Setu, is crucial in connecting Navi Mumbai with Mumbai. Whereas, the Mumbai Coastal Road is a testament to the city's commitment to robust urban planning and infrastructural development apart from reducing travel time and traffic.

Named after the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Atal Setu is expected to be pivotal in streamlining traffic flow and enhancing connectivity along the coastal stretch.

Rahul Kadri, Partner and Principal Architect at IMK Architects, an architecture and urban design company told mid-day.com, "The construction of the 6-lane Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (Atal Setu) promises enhanced connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, relieving congestion on the existing six narrow bridges. Meanwhile, the 8-lane Coastal Road expressway in the western part of the city alleviates the traffic and facilitates faster commutes. However, efforts to divert traffic to and from the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link continues to be a work in progress. While the two projects help manage traffic congestion, they won't solve the larger transportation problem that plagues the city since they only serve a small percentage of the population that uses cars. The development of railways that enable affordable movement of goods and people over long and short distances is crucial. The ongoing rail/metro project will be the real game-changer as it has the potential to increase capacity tenfold, benefitting and encouraging public transport."

Also Read: Mumbai Coastal Road Project: The politics, the controversies and the challenges

He said, "Roads can be the engines of potential development, but their impact depends on careful planning and execution. The construction of Atal Setu undoubtedly brings a new era of urban development-linking to the new airport and opening up new land access. This gives the link an opportunity to contribute to the region's overall growth, starting from its connectors, particularly the Chirle region in Navi Mumbai, which is currently full of dust and pollution caused by unchecked container yards. In cities like Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, similar bridges and roads like the ring roads/ bypass roads have opened up new lands for development. However, there is a need for a comprehensive plan to optimise the potential of such a project. The bridge offers new development opportunities but requires meticulous urban planning to fully capitalise on its potential to connect disparate city parts. We must learn from the development approach in Navi Mumbai, where a master plan preceded the bridge's construction linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai."

Conversely, the Mumbai Coastal Road primarily serves as a grand road widening project connecting the already-developed parts of the city, so it doesn't offer any new development opportunities.

Rahul Kadri explained, "One of the key benefits predicted from the Mumbai Coastal Road, when combined with the Atal Setu, is a significant reduction in commute times for those going between south and north Mumbai. The road seeks to create a seamless and speedier path, allowing commuters to avoid clogged inner-city routes and enjoy a more efficient travel."

Mumbai, the city known for its crowded streets and frequent traffic jams, has long struggled with congestion. The Mumbai Coastal Road project, which spans around 22 kilometers, is deliberately designed to alleviate some of the city's traffic congestion and reduce travel time between suburbs and south Mumbai. By redirecting a considerable volume of through traffic away from the inner city, the road attempts to relieve congestion in vital regions, particularly during peak hours.

Besides from traffic decongestion, the Mumbai Coastal Road, centered by the Atal Setu, is expected to improve overall connectivity along the city's western waterfront. The route is anticipated to connect numerous significant neighbourhoods, promoting economic development, tourism, and convenience for both residents and businesses.

However, more underground tunnels in city could be beneficial in decreasing the traffic.

Beyond its functional purpose, the Mumbai Coastal Road gives passengers a scenic trip along the Arabian Sea. With panoramic views of the coastline, the road is poised to become a scenic route that promotes efficient travel.

Mushtaq Ansari, a Mahim-based social worker representing NGO Pothole Warriors told mid-day.com, "Projects like the Atal Setu and the Mumbai Coastal Road are important for transportation in cities like Mumbai but at the same time much better planning at lower levels are needed. These projects can help ease traffic in some parts of the city but at the same time could lead to traffic congestions on the routes leading towards the entry and exit of routes towards Mumbai Coastal Road or the Atal Setu. Hence, there must be dedicated traffic control rooms, better planning at ground level and immediate response during traffic jams only then such projects would be a 100 per cent successful."

He added, "The Atal Setu would be helpful in connecting Navi Mumbai and Mumbai and the Mumbai Coastal Road will cut travel time to reach the southern part of the city from suburbs once it is fully operational but at the same time there must be more awareness on carpooling, use of pubic transports including the new metro projects and timely maintenance of other roads in the city, only then can the traffic congestions be decreased in the city."

The Mumbai Coastal Road project has not been without controversy, with some concerned about its possible environmental impact. Proponents claim that the project includes several environmental precautions, such as the provision of green spaces and a commitment to sustainable development techniques. The Atal Setu, developed to modern technical standards, strives to reduce its environmental impact.