Mumbai’s long-term mobility strategy has taken a decisive step forward as the state government unveiled an ambitious vision to significantly reduce traffic congestion through an extensive network of underground tunnels and parallel road systems. The initiative, announced in Mumbai, centres on a proposed 70-kilometre tunnel grid that aims to reshape how residents travel across the city and improve the efficiency of existing transport corridors.
According to officials, the administration expects the new mobility architecture to ease severe bottlenecks, particularly on stretches such as the Western Express Highway, where nearly two-thirds of vehicular load currently accumulates. The planned network of tunnels and upgraded road links is designed to divert a large share of this traffic underground or onto newly developed high-speed connectors, enabling smoother and more reliable journeys. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has begun drafting a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed tunnel system, which is envisioned as a third transportation layer complementing the suburban rail and metro networks. The blueprint includes three major components: a 16-kilometre link between Worli and the airport, a 10-kilometre east–west connector, and a 44-kilometre north–south corridor. Officials said the system would integrate seamlessly with upcoming infrastructure such as the coastal road, the trans-harbour link and various metro corridors.
Urban planners note that this tunnelling strategy reflects practices adopted in cities like Singapore and Tokyo, where multi-level mobility networks help optimise surface land use and reduce pollution from stop-start traffic. A senior transport expert said the Mumbai proposal has the potential to support a more climate-resilient mobility ecosystem, provided it is accompanied by strong environmental safeguards and inclusive design standards. In addition to the tunnel programme, the government is advancing a series of new road connections aimed at improving east–west movement and strengthening links across the metropolitan region. These include the ongoing Thane–Borivali and Mulund–Goregaon tunnels, a planned extension from the Bandra-Worli Sea Link to the Bandra-Kurla Complex, and a coastal connector linking Worli and Sewri with access to the trans-harbour bridge and the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport.
Officials emphasised that the combined infrastructure push seeks to reduce dependency on a few overstressed corridors and cut travel times across the city. Once complete, the integrated mobility system is expected to bring down the journey between south Mumbai and the airport to around 20 minutes, compared to the much longer durations endured today. Comprehensive geological, environmental and socio-economic studies are underway to assess feasibility and minimise potential impacts on communities. Experts stressed that attention to air quality, energy efficiency and long-term carbon considerations will be crucial as Mumbai transitions toward more sustainable modes of transport.
While the timeline for full implementation spans several years, planners argue that the scale of investment signals a long-range commitment to building a faster, safer and more equitable mobility network. If executed as envisioned, the integrated system could help Mumbai maintain its position as a competitive global economic centre while improving everyday travel for millions of residents.
Mumbai Targets Traffic Free Travel With Seventy Kilometres Of New Tunnel Network
