Mumbai Coastal Road to have emergency cross passages

The Coastal Road from Worli to Marine Lines be open by May. Pic/Satej Shinde

The Coastal Road from Thadani Junction at Worli to Marine Lines will have emergency cross passages at regular intervals, enhancing safety measures for commuters. These passages will be operational after the completion of the entire structure.

"These cross passages, strategically placed every 300 metres in the tunnel are said to serve as crucial exit points during emergencies, allowing for swift rescue operations without the need for traversing the entire stretch of the road. In the initial stages, these passages will remain closed, and will be made operational once the entire Coastal Road becomes fully accessible," said an engineer working on the project.

"Totalling ten in number, these cross passages along the stretch from Worli to Marine Drive are 11 to 15 metres long, enabling quick rescue operations during any incident. Some passages are designed to facilitate the safe evacuation of vehicles, while others are dedicated to ensuring the swift exit of pedestrians in case of emergencies," he added.

"The tunnel and its walls can withstand extremely high temperatures in the event of a vehicle catching fire. The tunnel has a 375-mm-thick concrete lining. Additionally, flame-resistant boards have been installed as part of fire prevention measures. To enhance vehicle safety within the tunnel, crash barriers will be present on both sides of the tunnel," said Chandrakant Kadam, a BMC engineer who's been working on the project since 2015.

While the Coastal Road will be open for motorists by May, citizens will have to wait till December 2025 for various theme parks, a 7.50-km-long promenade and cycle track, which are also part of the project, to be completed.