Work on Mumbai’s 29.2 km coastal road likely to start in April 2018

Civic chief has asked administration to select contractors by March; the eight-lane road is expected to be ready in four years

The construction of the Mumbai coastal road is likely to start in April 2018.

The road will be a new link between the island city and the western suburbs, from Marine Lines all the way to Kandivli. (HT File Photo)

Civic officials said Mumbai civic chief Ajoy Mehta has asked the administration to select contractors by March. To be built along the western coast of Mumbai, the eight-lane road aims to provide a new link between the island city and the western suburbs. The project is proposed to be completed within four years.

The civic body had earlier expected to assess the financial bids by December 4 and begin the project work in January 2018. Now, the deadline to finalise the bids has been pushed to March 2018 and start of construction work of 29.2-km coastal road is April 2018.

The process of awarding contracts for the project, which has been undertaken simultaneously in three sections (a tunnel and two bridges), has entered the final stage, said the civic officials.

On Saturday, Mehta ordered the civic officials to finalise the request for proposal (RFP) tender by March 15, 2018. The proposals of the 17 bidders that have qualified will be analysed by a consultant appointed by the civic body. After the analysis, the financial bids will be opened and the contract will be given to the lowest bidder, said an official who is not authorized to speak on the issue.

Sanjay Mukherjee, additional municipal commissioner (projects), had earlier said the tendering process for the three sections will be carried out simultaneously and the work is likely to begin around the same time.

The coastal road will have eight lanes with two dedicated bus lanes. The project will require 186 hectares of land to be reclaimed, of which 91 hectares will be developed as green spaces.