The Coastal Road, estimated to cost about Rs 14,000 crore, will provide a direct connection with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, reducing travel time between south Mumbai and suburbs and improving the overall commuting experience

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the new connector between the Coastal Road and the sea link on Thursday before it is opened for vehicular traffic

Northbound vehicles heading to Bandra from south Mumbai via the Coastal Road can directly enter the sea link between 7 am and 11 pm

The southbound vehicles will have to take the existing route till both arms of the Coastal Road are connected with the sea link, a civic official said

This will be the fourth such opening on the road, which is being made operational in phases

Its southbound arm opened from Worli to Marine Drive on March 11