The coastal road in Mumbai, built at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore, has developed cracks, prompting the administration to fill them with asphalt at various points. This has drawn criticism from the municipal corporation and the government. The Prime Minister's Office has taken note of the issue and sought information from the state's Chief Secretary. In response, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray party leader and MLA Aditya Thackeray has sharply criticized Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Aditya Thackeray stated, "We warned that wherever Mindhe is involved, projects face delays, costs rise, and work stalls. Mindhe and his favored contractors excel only at siphoning off 'road money.' The patchwork on the 'Haji Ali to Worli' stretch serves as a blatant example."
He further claimed, "If we were in power, the quality coastal road would have been completed by 2023, complete with cycle tracks and gardens open to the public."
Also Read: Mumbai Coastal Road: Viral Video of Patchwork Sparks Outrage Among Motorists
In response, the municipal corporation explained, "The northbound section of the coastal road opened for traffic in July 2024. Asphalt was applied to the bridge joints to prevent cracks before the monsoon, and an additional layer of mastic was added for strength. This asphalt will be removed, and the road will be leveled."