MMR Infra Push: ₹22,611 Crore Tunnel, Elevated Road and Metro Projects Approved

Maharashtra Government Clears Major Infrastructure Projects Across Mumbai Metropolitan Region

In a major boost to connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Maharashtra government has approved infrastructure projects worth ₹22,611 crore. The approved developments include a new tunnel and elevated corridor connecting Thane and Bhayandar, along with the expansion of the Navi Mumbai Metro network.

The approvals were given during a meeting of the state Cabinet Infrastructure Committee chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

₹17,036 Crore Approved for Thane  -  Bhayandar Tunnel and Elevated Corridor

Out of the total approved investment, ₹17,036 crore has been allocated for the construction of the Gaimukh - Fountain Hotel tunnel and the Fountain Hotel - Bhayandar elevated road project.

Under this plan, a 5.86 - km six - lane tunnel will be built between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel on Ghodbunder Road. The tunnel will use Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and will have a diameter of 14 meters.

Alongside this, a 9.58 - km six - lane elevated road will connect Fountain Hotel to Bhayandar. The elevated corridor will run parallel to Vasai Creek and is expected to support vehicle speeds of up to 100 kmph.

The government aims to complete the tunnel construction within the next five years.

Project Aims to Reduce Traffic Congestion in MMR

Officials said the new tunnel and elevated road are designed to reduce traffic pressure on Ghodbunder Road, one of the busiest routes in the region.

The corridor is expected to improve travel between western Mumbai and key destinations including Thane, Kalyan - Dombivli, Nashik, Panvel and National Highway 48.

The project is also expected to divert heavy vehicle movement travelling towards Thane and Gujarat through an alternate route, helping ease congestion.

Project to Be Developed Through Public - Private Partnership

The Thane - Bhayandar connectivity project will be developed under the Build - Operate - Transfer (BOT) model through a public - private partnership.

To support project viability, both the Central Government and Maharashtra Government will provide viability gap funding.

The Cabinet committee has also approved the appointment of MMRDA as the special planning authority for the project area.

Navi Mumbai Metro Expansion Gets ₹5,575 Crore Approval

In another key decision, the Cabinet committee approved ₹5,575 crore for the expansion of the Navi Mumbai Metro network.

The approved projects include:

• Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A between Sagar Sangam and CBD Belapur
• Metro Line 2 connecting Pendhar to Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal 4

Together, these projects will create a continuous 28 - km Metro corridor linking Sagar Sangam directly to Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The expansion will include two new stations on Metro Line 1A and eleven stations on Metro Line 2.

Metro Network Expected to Serve 12 Lakh Daily Passengers

According to government estimates, the expanded Metro network is expected to handle nearly 12 lakh passengers every day in the future.

The approvals come shortly after Maharashtra introduced stricter rules for clearing large infrastructure projects, following concerns over delays and rising project costs in several ongoing developments across the state.

With these approvals, the government is aiming to strengthen road and public transport infrastructure while improving regional connectivity across MMR.