Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed state agencies to accelerate major infrastructure projects, with the Sewri-Worli elevated connector targeted for completion by May 31, 2027, and metro construction to be stepped up across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Fadnavis has asked agencies to treat 2027 as the “Metro Year” and complete at least 70 km of metro corridors during the year, including sections carried forward from 2026. He also fixed May 31, 2027, as the deadline for completing the Sewri-Worli elevated connector.
The Sewri-Worli link is expected to provide a faster and more direct road connection between the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the coastal road network. Once operational, the connector is expected to improve connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Mumbai through these major transport corridors.
The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by Fadnavis to assess the progress of major infrastructure projects. Officials were instructed to ensure that the Sewri-Worli elevated connector is completed and opened to traffic by May 31 next year.
Fadnavis also reviewed the redevelopment of the Prabhadevi Road Over Bridge (ROB), being executed by MahaRail over the Western and Central Railway tracks. The agency assured the government that girder launching would be completed by the end of November, after the project missed its earlier September target.
Following the launching of the girders over the railway tracks, MahaRail will undertake the concrete-related works, while the approaches to the ROB will be constructed by the contractor appointed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
On metro projects, Fadnavis directed officials to accelerate construction and increase the target for corridors scheduled for completion by December 2026 from 36 km to 50 km. For 2027, he set an overall target of at least 70 km, including unfinished sections carried forward from the current year.
The chief minister also called for greater mechanisation in infrastructure works, directing agencies to ensure that at least 50% of project activities are mechanised. He said adequate skilled manpower should be arranged and mechanised construction methods adopted to address labour shortages and maintain project timelines.
For Metro Line 2B, officials were asked to explore the possibility of imposing a 12-hour special road block on a Sunday, if required, to facilitate girder-related work near Juhu Circle on the DN Nagar-Chembur corridor.
The meeting was conducted under the Chief Minister’s Office War Room review mechanism for major infrastructure projects and was attended by Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal.
Fadnavis also directed MMRDA, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies to update maps of underground utilities. He called for a system through which such information could be easily accessed during infrastructure and civic works, helping agencies avoid conflicts with existing utilities and reducing project delays.
Source: Times of India
