Location: South Mumbai (19°01′N 72°49′'E)
Length: 2.2 Kilometres (as per my car's tripmeter)
Road Surface: Concrete/Asphalt
Traffic/Pedestrian Density: Light
No. of Lanes: Dual carriageway - Three Lanes Each (Two Driveable)
No. of Signals: One (Usually Closed)
Official Speed Limit: 50 Kmph
Police Presence: Very Rare
Best Time to Drive: Early Morning (before 6 am), Afternoon, Midnight
This is probably the only road in South Mumbai which is free from commuters during most part of the day, as it is not a major public road (unlike Marine Drive). I find it quite safe to sharpen my driving techniques here. It's almost one year since I started to drive and after clocking more than a couple of thousand kilometeres behind the wheel, I believe that I can still improve. There are many things which are not taught at a local driving school and thus, it is much better to learn the finer points of driving (engine braking, for instance) on a relatively empty road than trying them directly on a major highway and ending up in disastrous consequences.
After making hundreds of trips on this road, let me take the opportunity to explain some finer aspects.
Let's start from the intersection near Maharashtra Rifles Association. I mean the small circle where newbies practise their reversing skills and locals use it as a makeshift cricket pitch. We are now heading towards south and travelling on the side on the road which is away from the sea. The road surface is asphalt and just at the beginning of the seaface, it curves towards left. This section of about 50 metres is very rough and bumpy mainly due to improperly filled potholes.
The road straightens and then again curves towards right. You can gently accelerate. Look out for errant drivers taking sudden U-turns or emerging from driveways without warning. Now you can see a nice straight section where you can accelerate if the conditions are ideal. But look out for signboards on the central divider. There is a notorious speed-breaker which might seem to emerge out of nowhere. In my early days, I have jumped over this speed-bump at insanely high speeds. Jumps like these will give you some thrills but this obviously isn't good for your car.
You go ahead for a few hundred metres and you'll come across the only major junction on this strip. The junction's entry and exit points are not well designed, so there are plenty of blind spots. Slow down, honk and flash your headlamps or else, you'll invite some big trouble. The junction has a traffic signal but owing to sparse traffic, it is rarely functioning and nobody really follows it. So, don't take the signal for granted.
After the intersection, the road level changes suddenly and the road surface is now concrete. Here is a section where you can accelerate without much trouble. The straight section ends near Aarey Milk Dairy where one has to be really careful about stationary cars, BEST buses and slow moving dairy trucks. The turns is quite sharp if you are doing high speeds. So, be VERY careful or your car may understeer and you will be flying off the divider to the other side of the road.
Once, the turn is executed, the seaface comes to an end and the remaining road will lead you towards the Worli flyover. So, take a U-turn. Make sure that your intentions are clear to other motorists before you take a U-turn.
Now you are on the side of the road (carriageway) which is nearer to the seaface. So, continue driving northwards or park your car and enjoy the scenic promenade (which is currently under renovation)!
DISCLAIMER: The reader should try the actions mentioned above at his/her own risk. Note that they might be dangerous and/or illegal too and may not be advisable to those who don't have sufficient driving experience.
I am always open to criticism and suggestions. You can expect another article on the same topic again.
Signing off.
