The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved the construction of a direct foot overbridge (FOB) connecting a station on Metro Line 4 to the Godrej commercial campus in Vikhroli, marking another step towards strengthening last-mile connectivity across Mumbai’s Metro network.
The project becomes only the second private development in the city to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for direct access to a Metro station. Earlier, MMRDA had granted a similar approval to Oberoi Mall on Metro Line 7.
The proposed FOB will enable employees, visitors and commuters to access the Godrej campus directly from the Metro station without crossing the busy Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road. Officials expect the connection to improve pedestrian safety, reduce travel time and encourage greater use of the Metro.
Under MMRDA’s policy, developers seeking direct Metro connectivity must pay a one-time, non-refundable development fee, bear the entire cost of designing and constructing the foot overbridge, and pay an additional six per cent of the construction cost towards supervision charges. Every proposal is subject to detailed technical, structural and safety evaluations before receiving approval.
Godrej & Boyce has paid a one-time, non-refundable development fee of ₹10 crore to MMRDA and will fully fund the construction of the foot overbridge.
MMRDA said the policy has already been implemented through the Metro connection to Oberoi Mall and is also evaluating a similar proposal from Bharat Diamond Bourse on Metro Line 2B. If approved, that project is expected to benefit nearly 40,000 commuters every day.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative has been introduced to provide direct Metro access to major commercial and residential developments, improve last-mile connectivity, increase Metro ridership, boost fare revenue and generate additional non-fare income through development fees.
Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said the authority has received encouraging responses from developers seeking direct Metro access. He added that each proposal undergoes rigorous technical and safety scrutiny while helping improve commuter convenience, reduce congestion around Metro stations and create a sustainable source of non-fare revenue.
MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said the initiative is designed to integrate Metro stations with major commercial and residential destinations while ensuring the cost of such connectivity is borne by the beneficiary institutions.
Source: Mumbai Live
