Mumbai’s development authority has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a citywide underground expressway system designed to drastically reduce traffic congestion and travel time across the metropolis. The project, dubbed ‘Mumbai in Minutes’, will integrate major transport corridors — including roads, metro lines, rail routes, the coastal road and the upcoming bullet train network — into a unified underground system.
Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said the initiative aims to create a sustainable and efficient transport model capable of accommodating the city’s growing population and mobility demands. The proposed underground road network will link the north-south and east-west corridors of Mumbai, ensuring smoother travel and reducing the city’s dependence on surface-level highways already burdened by congestion. The project will be executed in three phases. The first phase will connect the Mumbai Coastal Road to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the international airport and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. This stretch is expected to divert heavy vehicles from the Western Express Highway and SV Road, providing relief to daily commuters. The second phase will build a 10-kilometre east–west connection between the Eastern and Western Express Highways, while the third phase will create a 44-kilometre north–south link improving overall citywide connectivity.
According to officials, tenders for the techno-economic feasibility study and detailed project report (DPR) for the first phase have already been floated. The consultant will be responsible for assessing geological, environmental and social impacts and for recommending design strategies that balance construction efficiency with sustainability. Once the DPR is approved, construction will commence in stages aligned with future traffic needs and population growth. Experts view the underground expressway as a crucial step towards reimagining Mumbai’s mobility infrastructure. “Surface expansion is no longer viable in a city as densely built as Mumbai. The underground approach will increase road capacity without displacing communities or green spaces,” said a senior transport planner.
Beyond easing congestion, the network is expected to lower vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, complementing Mumbai’s transition towards low-carbon urban mobility. The integration of road, metro, coastal and underground corridors could enable faster, cleaner and more accessible travel for millions of residents. Officials believe that the project will not only transform commuting patterns but also support broader sustainability goals by reducing air pollution and creating more pedestrian-friendly spaces above ground. Once completed, the underground expressway could cut travel times between South Mumbai, BKC and the airport significantly — embodying the vision of a more connected, efficient and climate-resilient Mumbai.
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