Exhibition on CRP provides glimpse into mammoth Mumbai transformation

Published : May 08, 2023 16:10 IST - 6 MINS READ For the past five years, parts of Mumbai’s western arterial road have been under major reconstruction as part of the 29.2-kilometre Coastal Road Project. Titled “Coastal Road Odyssey”, the exhibition, which is on until May 21, curates 50 unique, never-seen-before photographs, showing via stunning aerial shots how the city is undergoing a major transformation. The exhibitions will showcase the behind-the-scenes journey of this infrastructural undertaking that will change the transportation dynamics of the city and the quality of life of the citizens of Mumbai.” Specifically on the coastal road, the exhibition says: “With a 10.58-km expanse of roadway on reclamation, bridges, interchanges, tunnels under the sea as well as a hill, a seawall, and more, this project aims to achieve the commendable feat of reducing the travel time from south Mumbai to north Mumbai by 70 per cent.” When the CRP began in 2018, there was a significant amount of opposition from environment and civic bodies asking whether it was necessary to put the city through this project. With regard to why it is being built, the BMC says: “As one of the densest mega-cities of the world, Mumbai is constrained not only by its limited landmass and high population, but also by its peculiar geography and historical development.” According to the corporation, since Mumbai is narrow and surrounded by sea on three sides, there is little scope for large-scale development works within the city or for road widening beyond a point.