Mumbai Approves New Underground Route To Worli Coast
Mumbai is moving to close a major last-mile gap between mass transit and its expanding coastal public realm, with civic authorities approving a ₹702.44-crore underground pedestrian connection between Nehru Science Centre station on Metro Line 3 and the Worli Promenade. The roughly one-kilometre link is intended to make the coastal road’s planned landscape spaces more accessible without relying on private vehicles. The proposed Metro 3 pedestrian link will be about 7.5 metres wide and will connect passengers arriving at the underground station with the Worli waterfront and a planned landscape garden along the coastal road. The municipal corporation will fund the project, while Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation is expected to execute the construction.
The proposal addresses a familiar weakness in large infrastructure projects: reaching the destination after arriving at the main transport network. Although Metro 3 can bring passengers close to the coastal road, the absence of a convenient, protected pedestrian connection can make the final part of the journey difficult, particularly for older people, families, visitors and people with mobility limitations. The Metro 3 pedestrian link could also alter how the coastal road’s public spaces are used. The planned landscape area is expected to cover roughly 300 acres, alongside a reserved promenade. Providing direct access from a high-capacity rail system could broaden the visitor base beyond people travelling by car and reduce additional road trips for leisure journeys. Urban mobility specialists say the value of such a connection will depend heavily on its design. A pedestrian tunnel needs adequate lighting, ventilation, drainage, wayfinding, emergency access and universal accessibility. Its entrances must also connect naturally with surrounding footpaths and public spaces rather than creating another isolated infrastructure node.
The project also has a wider environmental dimension. Shifting some leisure and visitor trips from private vehicles to metro and walking can reduce dependence on road-based travel. But that benefit will depend on whether the coastal public realm is designed to handle large pedestrian volumes while retaining sufficient shade, greenery and climate-resilient drainage. The financial commitment is substantial. At more than ₹700 crore for a connection of around one kilometre, the project will face scrutiny over construction costs, delivery timelines and the public value generated by improved access. The investment will be easier to justify if it serves everyday commuters as well as occasional visitors. The project has been under consideration for several years. The metro corporation had indicated its willingness to undertake the tunnel in 2025, followed by coordination between the civic administration and transport agencies.
For Mumbai, the bigger opportunity is to treat the station, promenade and surrounding streets as one integrated pedestrian district. If the Metro 3 pedestrian link is delivered with strong accessibility and public-realm standards, it could demonstrate how major transport investments can connect residents not only to jobs, but also to the city’s increasingly important open spaces.
