The Maharashtra government has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs 22,611 crore aimed at improving connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The approvals were granted by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya.
The approved package includes a major road connectivity project worth Rs 17,036 crore and an expansion plan for the Navi Mumbai Metro network with an estimated cost of Rs 5,575 crore.
A significant part of the road project involves the construction of a six-lane underground tunnel between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel along the congested Ghodbunder Road corridor. The 5.86-km tunnel will be developed using advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and is expected to be completed within five years.
The project also includes a 9.58-km six-lane elevated corridor connecting Fountain Hotel and Bhayandar. Designed to support vehicle speeds of up to 100 kmph, the elevated route is expected to ease traffic pressure on one of the busiest stretches in the region and reduce congestion caused by freight and long-distance vehicles.
The new corridor is expected to improve travel connectivity between western Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Panvel, Nashik and National Highway-48. Transport planners believe the project will strengthen regional mobility by creating an alternative route for commuters and commercial traffic.
The road project will be implemented through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework. It will also receive viability gap funding support from both the central and state governments.
Alongside the road infrastructure development, the state government has approved the extension of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A and Metro Line 2.
The expansion will establish a 28-km metro corridor connecting Sagar Sangam with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The extended network will include 13 new stations, improving access to key residential and commercial areas.
According to officials, the expanded Navi Mumbai Metro system is expected to handle nearly 12 lakh passengers daily once fully operational.
The projects are part of Maharashtra’s broader plan to strengthen transport infrastructure across the MMR and improve connectivity between emerging growth centres.
Source: Swarajya
