The Maharashtra Cabinet has cleared infrastructure investments worth ₹75,000 crore, giving a decisive push to metro expansion, suburban rail upgrades, and road connectivity across key urban centres. The move reflects the state’s intent to address mobility bottlenecks, reduce congestion, and drive economic growth while aligning with sustainable urban development goals.
Among the largest commitments is the approval of Mumbai Metro Line 11, a ₹24,000 crore underground corridor linking Wadala Depot to the Gateway of India. Stretching 17.5 km, with nearly 16.8 km underground, the line will include 14 stations at dense commuter nodes such as Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, CSMT, Horniman Circle and the Gateway of India. Officials said the corridor is designed to serve an estimated 5.8 lakh passengers daily by 2031, with ridership expected to surpass 10 lakh by 2055. The project requires 104 acres of land, with most sourced from government holdings. A major component is a 39-acre depot planned on land owned by BEST at Anik–Pratiksha Nagar, which will serve as a critical operations hub. The Detailed Project Report prepared by transport experts envisions trains running at 80 kmph, with peak-hour intervals of just two and a half minutes, offering commuters a faster and cleaner alternative to overcrowded suburban trains and road travel.
Infrastructure experts note that Metro Line 11’s integration with other corridors will be a defining feature. It will connect with Line 4 at Wadala and with the under-construction Line 3 at CSMT, creating a multi-modal network that blends metro, rail and bus systems. Such interlinkages are seen as pivotal for easing pressure on Mumbai’s overburdened transport grid and reducing carbon emissions from road traffic. The Cabinet’s green signal also extends beyond Mumbai, with large-scale upgrades sanctioned in Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Nagpur. These include the Thane Metro, an elevated corridor linking Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Pune–Nagpur metro expansions, the Nagpur Outer Ring Road, and a new International Financial and Business Centre (IBFC) in “New Nagpur.” A modern Bombay High Court complex at Bandra (East) has also been cleared, adding an institutional dimension to the infra package.
Officials said that while metro corridors remain the backbone of the package, suburban rail modernisation will also be accelerated under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project’s later phases, including induction of thousands of new air-conditioned coaches. This integrated investment plan is expected to shape the region’s mobility for decades, balancing economic expansion with the state’s climate-conscious commitments. Urban planners argue that while the ₹75,000 crore package marks an unprecedented commitment, effective execution, financial discipline, and sensitive rehabilitation in land acquisition will determine its impact. They add that prioritising low-carbon, high-capacity transport is vital for Maharashtra’s cities to remain globally competitive and livable.
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