The Maharashtra government has appointed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to lead development of a major multi-modal transit hub in Dharavi, aiming for seamless integration across rail, metro, bus, airport, and non-motorised transport networks. Under a Government Resolution dated 18 June, the MMTH will connect Dharavi with suburban stations at Mahim, Sion, and Chunabhatti, while integrating with Metro Lines 2B, 3, 8, and 11.
It will also serve as a linkage point to the Bandra Kurla Complex bullet train station, Mumbai airport, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, with the BKC Personal Rapid Transit extended to Dharavi. MMRDA has initiated plans to appoint consultants for the feasibility study and detailed project design. A senior official confirmed that the agency will coordinate closely with NHSRCL (bullet train), MMRCL, Central and Western Railways, CSMIA, and BEST to ensure “maximum modal integration and urban impact” once studies are complete.
This strategic initiative is part of the broader Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The MMTH, comprising transit infrastructure as well as commercial facilities like retail outlets, offices, hotels, dining venues, and a convention centre, is viewed as a catalyst for inclusive urban regeneration in one of Asia’s densest informal settlements. Urban planners believe this integration will revolutionise mobility for Dharavi’s over one million residents by reducing travel times, expanding access to employment hubs, and streamlining last-mile connectivity. The hub is expected to enhance gender-neutral transit, with features such as well-lit walkways, ramps, and improved safety access points.
An MMRDA official emphasised that the MMTH design reflects a shift from single-mode station planning to future-ready transport nodes that support equitable access and low-carbon urban growth. Detractors have cautioned against potential displacement and gentrification. However, the integration with ongoing redevelopment efforts—such as those managed through a public–private special purpose vehicle—offers a chance to embed transport equity into resettlement and economic uplift programmes.
If the feasibility studies progress smoothly, construction may begin later this year, coinciding with extensions to Metro Line 11 and upgrades to BEST bus depots in Sion East. MMRDA expects the project to redefine Dharavi as a pivotal transit corridor—and a viable model for inclusive, sustainable urban infrastructure in Mumbai.
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