The Maharashtra government has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs 22,611 crore across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including a major tunnel and elevated road connecting Thane and Bhayandar, along with two key extensions of the Navi Mumbai Metro network.
The approvals were granted by the state Cabinet’s Infrastructure Committee during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.
Of the total investment, ₹17,036 crore has been allocated for the proposed Gaimukh–Fountain Hotel tunnel and the Fountain Hotel–Bhayandar elevated corridor. Another ₹5,575 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A and Metro Line 2 extensions.
Under the road connectivity project, a 5.86-kilometre six-lane tunnel will be constructed between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel along Ghodbunder Road. The tunnel will be built using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and will have a diameter of 14 metres. The government has set a construction timeline of approximately five years.
In addition, a 9.58-kilometre six-lane elevated corridor will connect Fountain Hotel to Bhayandar. Running parallel to Vasai Creek, the elevated route is expected to support vehicle speeds of up to 100 kmph.
According to officials, the project is aimed at easing congestion on the heavily used Ghodbunder Road corridor while improving connectivity between western Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik, Panvel and National Highway 48. The alternative route is also expected to divert a substantial volume of freight and long-distance traffic currently using Ghodbunder Road.
The project will be implemented through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model under a public-private partnership framework, with both the state and central governments providing viability gap funding. The Cabinet committee has also approved the appointment of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the special planning authority for the project area.
Separately, the committee cleared two Navi Mumbai Metro expansion projects proposed by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). These include Metro Line 1A between Sagar Sangam and CBD Belapur, and Metro Line 2 connecting Pendhar to Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal 4.
Once completed, the two projects will create a continuous 28-kilometre metro corridor stretching from Sagar Sangam to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The expansion will add 13 stations, including two on Metro Line 1A and 11 on Metro Line 2.
The government estimates that the expanded metro network will eventually cater to nearly 12 lakh passengers daily, significantly strengthening public transport connectivity across Navi Mumbai.
The approvals come shortly after the state introduced stricter norms for evaluating large infrastructure projects amid concerns over delays and escalating costs in several major developments across Maharashtra.
Source: The Indian Express
