The Maharashtra government has approved a series of major infrastructure projects worth Rs 22,611 crore across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including the expansion of the Navi Mumbai Metro network and a new tunnel-elevated corridor connecting Ghodbunder Road and Bhayandar.
The approvals were granted by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The projects are aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel times and easing traffic congestion across key urban corridors.
Of the total investment, Rs 17,036 crore has been allocated for a six-lane tunnel between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel, along with a six-lane elevated road connecting Fountain Hotel and Bhayandar. The remaining Rs 5,575 crore has been sanctioned for the expansion of the Navi Mumbai Metro through Line 1A and Line 2.
According to the government, the proposed tunnel will be constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and will feature a diameter of 14 metres. The project is expected to be completed within five years. The accompanying elevated corridor, planned parallel to Vasai Creek, is designed to support traffic movement at speeds of up to 100 kmph.
Officials said the road project will help ease congestion on the heavily used Ghodbunder Road corridor while providing a faster alternative route for vehicles travelling towards Thane, Gujarat, Nashik, Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivli and National Highway-48. The development will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, with viability gap funding from both the state and central governments.
In a significant boost to public transport infrastructure, the committee also approved Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A between Sagar Sangam and CBD Belapur, along with Metro Line 2 connecting Pendhar to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The expansion will create a continuous 28-kilometre metro corridor stretching from Sagar Sangam to the airport. The project includes 13 additional stations, comprising two stations on Line 1A and 11 stations on Line 2.
The government estimates that the expanded metro network will eventually serve nearly 12 lakh passengers daily, significantly enhancing mobility and strengthening connectivity across Navi Mumbai and surrounding growth corridors.
The Cabinet committee also approved the appointment of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the special planning authority for the Ghodbunder-Bhayandar infrastructure project area.
Source: Money Control
