October 1, 2025: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is spearheading an ambitious transformation of the city’s transport infrastructure, aiming to make urban mobility faster, greener, and more reliable. Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee outlined plans spanning Mumbai’s first pod taxi system, a 300+ km Metro network, and integrated digital ticketing in an interview with Metro Rail Today.
“Our vision is ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ — ensuring no journey exceeds one hour across the metropolitan region,” Mukherjee stated.
The city’s monorail services have been temporarily paused to accelerate upgrades, including the installation of an indigenously developed Communication-Based Train Control signalling system and the addition of ten Make-in-India rakes. “Once operational, the monorail will offer a smoother, safer, and more reliable experience comparable to the Metro,” Mukherjee said.
Mumbai’s Metro network is undergoing rapid expansion. Key corridors are nearing completion: Line 2B is 90% finished with CMRS certification expected by October 2025, Line 4 stands at 86%, Line 5 Phase I at 96%, and Line 9 at 98%. Ridership has surged, with monthly Metro users reaching 7.7 million as of September 2025, highlighting growing public reliance on efficient, sustainable transport.
In a first for India, Mumbai will introduce air-conditioned, on-demand pod taxis at the Bandra-Kurla Complex by 2028, reducing dependency on autos and private cabs. Land acquisition near suburban stations has presented challenges, but MMRDA is collaborating with Mumbai Police to secure the required 6,800 sq. metres near Kurla.
Funding for these projects comes from a mix of international lenders, domestic development charges, and non-fare revenue streams. Concurrently, the authority is developing economic hubs at Worli, BKC, and Kharbhav to bolster Mumbai’s industrial and financial capacity.
“Mumbai is evolving into a truly global city. By 2047, we aim to establish the infrastructure backbone of a trillion-dollar economy,” Mukherjee concluded.
With Metro lines, pod taxis, and integrated multimodal hubs, Mumbai is already setting new benchmarks in urban mobility, signalling a transformative shift toward a future-ready metropolis.
Source: Metro Rail Today
