Construction work is underway for Mumbai’s complex coastal road project.
Mumbai is to benefit from its new coast road – image courtesy of © R S Vivek, Dreamstime.com
The need for Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project is high, given the severe traffic congestion both in and around the city, one of India’s major commercial centres. With an estimated cost of US$1.75 billion, the 29km route is being built by a joint venture partnership comprising Indian contractor Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and South Korean firm, Hyundai Development Corporation (HDC). Meanwhile, L&T is also operating as a contractor on the project.
The work is being carried out in two main phases and is being overseen by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). One of the most challenging technical aspects of the project is the construction of the tunnel section.
However, the project has faced other challenges also, and not only from delays caused by the current pandemic. In mid-2019, work was halted on legal grounds due to questions over the land required for the project and then recommenced in late-2019 following a new legal ruling. The legal case has continued in India’s courts, with the necessary environmental approvals having proven a major stumbling block. To address issues over land needed for the work, more land is being reclaimed, although this in itself presents additional technical challenges.
