The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the UK government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade Mumbai’s metro rail system. The measure will speed up Maharashtra’s overall economic growth in addition to enhancing the transit infrastructure in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
At the recent World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, in front of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MMRDA Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Crossrail International, which is fully owned by the UK government’s Department for Transport (DfT). This will be a significant milestone in developing the city’s infrastructure.
The MMRDA-Crossrail International partnership will prioritise digital transformation, advanced systems engineering, and cutting-edge funding strategies such as transit-oriented development (TOD) and land value capture. The move will also prioritise first and last-mile connectivity, research collaborations, and utilising UK expertise to create a sustainable future for transport in MMR.
MMRDA and Crossrail International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Economic Forum Davos 2025 to expedite Mumbai’s 14-line metro expansion, emphasising seamless connectivity and sustainability. The project will be supported by innovative funding models such as Land Value Capture and Transit-Oriented Development.
The partnership will leverage global expertise from UK institutions such as TfL and Network Rail, guaranteeing world-class execution, while academic collaborations between India and the UK will foster research and innovation. MMRDA is currently developing a 337-km metro network, with 59 km already operational, including underground sections, completely changing Mumbai’s urban mobility.
At WEF 2025, the MMRDA inked 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore to further develop the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) infrastructure. In addition to fostering transformative and sustainable growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, this enormous investment will establish a new standard for urban development. By 2030, MMR will have a $300 billion US economy and 3 million jobs thanks to these focused investments.
Source: ET Now