Mumbai Coastal Road Garden: Is This Mumbai's Own Central Park?

Mumbai has always been a city where open spaces are hard to come by. While the city boasts iconic destinations like Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens, and Shivaji Park, its rapidly growing population has meant that accessible green spaces remain limited.

But that could soon change.

Alongside the Mumbai Coastal Road, a massive 130-acre waterfront garden is taking shape—one that promises landscaped parks, cycling tracks, sea-facing promenades, children's play areas, sports facilities, and thousands of trees. If completed as envisioned, it won't just be another public park; it could become one of Mumbai's most significant urban spaces in decades.

Many have even started calling it Mumbai's answer to New York's Central Park.

But what exactly is the Coastal Road Garden? Why is it being built? What will it include? And could it also influence South Mumbai's premium real estate market?

Let's understand everything.

What is the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden?

The Mumbai Coastal Road Garden is a large public open space being developed on reclaimed land created during the construction of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project.

While the Coastal Road itself was built to improve connectivity between South Mumbai and the western suburbs, the reclaimed land alongside it presented a unique opportunity—not for commercial development, but for creating one of the city's largest public waterfront parks.

Spread across approximately 130 acres (around 53 hectares), the garden will stretch along the Arabian Sea and form part of a much larger network of public open spaces developed as part of the Coastal Road masterplan.

Unlike many urban infrastructure projects that focus only on transportation, this project combines mobility with recreation, sustainability, and public access to Mumbai's coastline.

Why Was the Garden Planned?

The Mumbai Coastal Road required reclaiming nearly 111 hectares of land from the sea. From the very beginning, there were discussions about how this newly created land should be used.

Instead of allowing extensive commercial or residential development, a significant portion of the reclaimed land was earmarked for public use, including gardens, promenades, cycling tracks, green landscapes, and recreational facilities.

This decision is particularly important because Mumbai has one of the lowest per capita open green spaces among major global cities. As residential density continues to increase, the demand for quality public spaces has only grown stronger.

The Coastal Road Garden aims to address this gap by creating a destination where people can walk, exercise, relax, and reconnect with nature without leaving the city.

What Will the Coastal Road Garden Include?

The project is designed as much more than a traditional park. According to the proposed masterplan, visitors can expect a wide range of recreational and ecological features.

Landscaped Gardens

Large open lawns, flowering gardens, shaded seating areas, and beautifully designed landscapes will create spaces suitable for families, morning walkers, and visitors throughout the year.

Micro Forests

Dense plantations of native tree species will be developed to improve biodiversity, reduce urban heat, and create natural habitats for birds and insects.

Butterfly Gardens and Bird Habitats

Dedicated ecological zones are expected to attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators, making the garden both environmentally valuable and educational.

Children's Play Areas

Modern play spaces designed for different age groups will provide safe recreational zones for families.

Cycling and Jogging Tracks

Dedicated cycling and jogging tracks will run alongside the waterfront, encouraging healthier lifestyles while offering uninterrupted sea views.

Sea-facing Viewing Decks

Several viewing points overlooking the Arabian Sea are planned, allowing visitors to enjoy sunsets and panoramic coastal views.

Sports Facilities

The project includes sports courts and open recreational areas where residents can engage in various outdoor activities.

Amphitheatres and Community Spaces

Public gathering areas and amphitheatres are expected to host cultural events, performances, and community activities, making the garden an active social destination rather than just a passive green space.

The 7.5 km Coastal Promenade: A New Landmark for Mumbai

One of the most exciting aspects of the project is the 7.5-kilometre-long waterfront promenade.

Stretching from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, this promenade will offer uninterrupted pedestrian and cycling access along Mumbai's western coastline.

To put that into perspective, it is nearly twice the length of the Marine Drive promenade, making it one of the city's longest waterfront walking experiences.

Parts of the promenade have already been opened to the public, offering a glimpse of what the larger project could eventually become.

Why Are People Calling It Mumbai's Central Park?

The comparison with New York's Central Park isn't because of size—Central Park is significantly larger.

Instead, the comparison comes from the role such a space could play within the city.

Like Central Park, the Coastal Road Garden is expected to become:

• •     A major public gathering space

• •     A recreational destination

• •     A tourist attraction

• •     A green lung within a dense urban environment

• •     A landmark that enhances the identity of surrounding neighbourhoods

If maintained well, it could become one of Mumbai's most recognisable public spaces.

The Supreme Court's Role: Why This Project Was Legally Significant

The Coastal Road Garden wasn't just an urban planning project—it also became the subject of legal scrutiny.

Concerns were raised that the reclaimed land might eventually be used for commercial or residential development instead of remaining a public asset.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, which clarified that the reclaimed land should primarily serve public purposes. The Court stated that while landscaping, beautification, and ecological enhancement were permissible, no residential or commercial development for sale or lease would be allowed on the reclaimed land.

More recently, the Court also cleared the way for the project's masterplan, allowing certain ancillary attractions with minimal access fees on up to 15% of the site, while ensuring that the vast majority of the area remains freely accessible public space.

This decision has helped preserve the project's original vision as a public waterfront destination rather than a commercial development.

Who Is Developing the Coastal Road Garden?

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) invited private organisations to develop and maintain the landscaped open spaces through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Following the selection process, Reliance Foundation was entrusted with developing and maintaining the 130-acre Coastal Road Garden.

The project is estimated to involve an investment of around ₹400 crore, with Reliance undertaking long-term maintenance of the gardens under its CSR programme.

At the 2026 Reliance AGM, the Foundation also shared additional details, including plans for over 60,000 trees, sports facilities, cultural spaces and family-friendly recreation areas, reinforcing the project's vision as a large urban green lung for Mumbai.

Could the Coastal Road Garden Impact Real Estate?

While the primary objective of the project is to improve public infrastructure and create open spaces, it could also influence nearby residential markets over the long term.

Around the world, well-designed parks and waterfront public spaces often improve the desirability of surrounding neighbourhoods. Buyers increasingly value walkability, recreational amenities, and access to quality green spaces.

Areas such as:

• | Worli | Breach Candy | Mahalaxmi | Haji Ali | Cumballa Hill

may benefit from improved public infrastructure and enhanced lifestyle appeal. However, property values depend on multiple factors—including infrastructure, supply, demand, economic conditions, and overall market sentiment—so the garden should be viewed as one of several positive influences rather than the sole driver of appreciation.

Challenges Ahead

While the vision is ambitious, successful execution will depend on several factors:

• •     Long-term maintenance of landscaping

• •     Survival of thousands of trees in a coastal environment

• •     Cleanliness and public upkeep

• •     Managing heavy visitor footfall

• •     Ensuring accessibility for all age groups

• •     Protecting biodiversity while encouraging tourism

Like any landmark public project, its long-term success will depend not only on how it is built, but also on how it is maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden?

The Mumbai Coastal Road Garden is a 130-acre public waterfront green space being developed on reclaimed land alongside the Mumbai Coastal Road. It will feature landscaped gardens, micro forests, cycling and jogging tracks, sports facilities, children's play areas, and sea-facing promenades.

2. Where is the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden located?

The garden is being developed along the Mumbai Coastal Road in South Mumbai, extending from Priyadarshini Park to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

3. How big is the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden?

The project spans approximately 130 acres (around 53 hectares), making it one of Mumbai's largest planned public waterfront parks.

4. Is the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden open to the public?

The full garden is still under development. However, parts of the Coastal Road promenade have already been opened to the public.

5. Who is developing the Mumbai Coastal Road Garden?

The garden is being developed and maintained by Reliance Foundation under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Final Thoughts

The Mumbai Coastal Road Garden represents more than just another infrastructure project. It reflects a broader shift in how cities think about urban development—where roads are no longer just about moving vehicles, but also about creating better public spaces for people.

If completed as envisioned, the project has the potential to become a defining landmark for Mumbai, offering residents a rare combination of greenery, recreation, and uninterrupted access to the city's coastline.

Whether it eventually earns the title of "Mumbai's Central Park" remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: for a city where every square metre of open space matters, the Coastal Road Garden could become one of Mumbai's most transformative public projects in recent years.