Mumbai's Coastal Road Gardens to Redefine the City's Waterfront with 70 Hectares of Green Space

A major green space project is taking shape along Mumbai's southern coastline. The Coastal Road Gardens, spanning 70 hectares of reclaimed land, will open to the public in three seasons. Backed by the Reliance Foundation, the initiative aims to transform the area into a vibrant public space with extensive amenities.

The project was renamed Coastal Road Gardens by Nita Ambani, head of the Reliance Foundation. It is being developed under the company's CSR programme at an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore. Once complete, the gardens will form a 'Green Necklace'—a landscaped counterpart to Marine Drive's iconic 'Queen's Necklace'.

The design allocates 55% of the area to forests and woodlands, with another 25% reserved for open recreational spaces. Pathways will cover 10%, while plazas will take up the remaining 10%. Visitors will access the site through seven entry points: Napean Sea Road, Breach Candy, Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi, Worli South, and Worli North.

Key features include garden trails, an amphitheatre, and a sunset view gallery. There will also be a Ferris wheel, festival plaza, and an art gallery. Sports facilities will cover maidan/flex fields, pickleball courts, outdoor gyms, and children's play areas. Social gardens and fitness pods will add to the recreational options.

The Reliance Foundation is also responsible for maintaining the 5.5 km Coastal Road promenade, which opened to the public last year. This latest project builds on their ongoing involvement in the area's development.

The Coastal Road Gardens will introduce a mix of nature, leisure, and culture to Mumbai's waterfront. With completion set for three seasons from now, the space is expected to become a major public destination. The project's scale and amenities reflect its goal of creating a lasting green landmark for the city.