The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has unveiled plans for a pioneering ropeway system. This system would connect Aarey Metro Station on Metro Line 3 with the iconic Film City in Goregaon, easing commuting woes for thousands of workers, residents, and tourists.
The proposed ropeway, which spans a route of 2 to 3 kilometres, promises to be a game-changer in urban mobility. According to MMRCL officials, the system is designed to handle 2,000 to 3,000 passengers per hour, per direction, alleviating the severe road congestion that currently hampers travel in this busy region. The project’s core objective is to provide an eco-friendly, efficient alternative to road-based transport, aligning with the city’s vision of sustainable urban development. Film City, a bustling media and entertainment hub, draws thousands of visitors every day. However, the area suffers from limited public transport options and severe traffic jams due to its only major access road, the Western Express Highway. A ropeway system would provide a direct, elevated route across the area’s hilly terrain, significantly cutting down on travel time and easing the pressure on the overburdened road infrastructure.
This initiative is part of a broader vision to enhance Mumbai’s multimodal connectivity. The ropeway will be seamlessly integrated with Metro Line 3, offering commuters easy access to the metro network from the Aarey JVLR Station. Such integration aims to encourage more people to shift from car-based transport to cleaner, public alternatives. The new transportation system is being designed with minimal environmental disruption in mind. Different cable technology options, including mono-cable, bi-cable, and tri-cable gondolas, are under consideration, with the final choice depending on factors such as terrain, capacity, and environmental impact. The MMRCL has stressed that the project will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with private firms contributing technical expertise, investment, and operational experience, while MMRCL will oversee regulatory approvals and project execution.
Moreover, the ropeway system is expected to set the stage for further expansion into other parts of Mumbai, potentially extending towards the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), creating a comprehensive, interconnected transport network. Such developments are seen as crucial to reducing Mumbai’s reliance on congested roadways and promoting sustainable public transport options. The financial model is designed to keep costs manageable, ensuring that taxpayers are not burdened with the full financial responsibility of the project. The private sector’s involvement will allow for efficient planning, execution, and long-term operation.
If implemented, this project will make Mumbai one of the first cities in India to introduce an urban ropeway system, setting a benchmark for future projects aimed at creating a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible public transport network. With the Film City being a significant tourist and employment centre, the system is poised to become an essential link in Mumbai’s transport landscape, offering a solution that addresses both current and future challenges of urban mobility. The MMRCL’s commitment to reducing congestion, improving last-mile connectivity, and promoting a zero-carbon, eco-friendly urban infrastructure underscores the city’s push towards modernising its transport system and making it more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.
