Scores of vehicles were observed entering the south-north arm of the MCR at Marine Lines and the motorists were pleasantly delighted to finish the drive to Haji Ali junction in under 8 minutes flat – a far cry from the agonising nearly one hour it took till yesterday.

Many motorists praised the MCR, officially named the `Dharmveer Swarajrakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road`, as they drove along the new highway, which included a tunnel beneath Malabar Hill and emerged at the new interchange at Haji Ali junction.

The remaining leg of the project extending up to Bandra Worli Sea Link is likely to be completed in a month or two and the entire phase will be totally ready by October affording Mumbaikars enormous relief.

Several ecstatic motorists talked to the media, praising the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state government for delivering a long-awaited and massive infrastructure project to the country`s commercial capital, and how it will benefit future generations.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the southbound carriageway on Monday along with Deputies Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.

Mumbai Coastal Road`s southbound carriageway shall be open for traffic from 7 am to 11 pm from Monday through Friday and be closed on weekends so the remaining 10 per cent of work is completed.

The Chief Minister stated that the new stretch is equipped with all modern amenities and will be a boon in terms of reducing traffic congestion between south Mumbai and the city`s northern areas.