MMRDA Redesigns Cuffe Parade-Nariman Point Connector to Protect Fishing Zone
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has redesigned the proposed 1.869-kilometre Cuffe Parade-Nariman Point connector in Mumbai to run along the coast, incorporating a 418-metre double-decker flyover to bypass a local fishing zone. Following instructions from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the revised route will avoid disrupting local fishermen by routing past Machimar Nagar, the Manora MLA hostel, and the southern end of the NCPA before landing on Marine Drive.
According to MMRDA Chief Engineer Vishal Jambhale, the design change was initiated to address concerns raised by local fishermen. The new alignment will transition the connector from a bridge to a coastal route.
To accommodate increased traffic along a narrow stretch of the alignment, a 418-metre double-decker flyover has been integrated into the project. The plan also includes the improvement of a portion of Dorabji Tata Road.
The entire project is estimated to cost ₹588.36 crore. To facilitate the construction, the state government will need to acquire 1,765.52 square metres of land at various locations.
Currently, commuters travelling between Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade—which are barely a kilometre apart—must take a five-kilometre detour through heavily congested areas, including Mantralaya, Fort, and Madam Cama Road. This journey can take up to 35 minutes during peak hours at an average speed of 12 km/h.
MMRDA documents submitted to the state government and the state coastal zone management authority indicate the new connector will reduce travel time to 12 minutes at an average speed of 35 km/h. With peak hour traffic estimated at 2,500 vehicles per hour, the project is projected to save 960 travel hours daily for commuters.
The southern end of the connector will be accessible from Captain Prakash Pethe Marg near Navy Nagar in Colaba, while the northern end near Nariman Point will connect to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road.
