Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee has outlined plans to significantly reduce travel times across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with journeys between Mumbai and Thane potentially taking 25 minutes and trips from Worli to Navi Mumbai falling below 30 minutes.
Speaking at a conference in Mumbai on October 28, Mukherjee discussed the authority’s ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ vision. The initiative aims to enable travel between different parts of the metropolitan region within 59 minutes through an integrated network of roads, tunnels, Metro lines and public transport.
“The BMC’s job is to manage the city, while MMRDA’s job is to make the city what it can become,” Mukherjee said, highlighting the need for alternative routes to ease congestion on major roads.
He explained that the coastal road network and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) could reduce the Worli-Navi Mumbai journey from approximately 90 minutes to less than half an hour. The broader strategy also includes underground tunnels, new road connectors, Metro expansion and improved bus services.
“People will continue to buy cars, but then you have options. The pressure on a single transport system will go down,” he said.
Launched in 2024, the initiative includes a ₹58,000-crore ring-road development programme covering more than 90 km of roads, bridges and tunnels. Major projects include the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel, Sewri-Worli connector and expansion of the Metro network.
Mukherjee said infrastructure proposals undergo financial assessments, environmental clearances and heritage reviews where necessary. Three tunnel projects are currently under construction, with international specialists involved in technically challenging works.
“Everybody’s views should be heard. At the end of the day, courts and experts decide,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Dr Anilkumar Gaikwad said construction of the approximately 169-km Pune Ring Road was progressing, with completion targeted for 2028.
MSRDC also plans to invite bids for projects in Vidarbha in early November. Other proposed developments include the Bandra-Versova Sea Link, a 96-km multimodal corridor and improved connectivity towards Alibaug. Several projects are targeted for completion by 2031.
Gaikwad added that infrastructure works receive funding from multiple sources, including toll revenue, reducing dependence on government budget allocations.
Source: Money Control
