Mumbai Underground Walkway Could Reshape Worli Connectivity
Mumbai is preparing to add a major pedestrian connection between its expanding metro network and the western waterfront, with an underground passage planned from the Science Centre Metro Line 3 station through the Mahalaxmi Racecourse to the Worli Coastal Road promenade. The project, estimated at about ₹702 crore, is intended to make interchange between mass transit and the seafront more direct while reducing exposure to traffic and weather. The proposed corridor is being taken forward by Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), with the BMC providing the project funding. Current project documents describe an underground pedestrian vestibule linking Science Centre Metro station with the Worli Promenade through the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
The scale of the proposal is significant, but so is its role within Mumbai’s changing transport geography. The Mahalaxmi Metro connector is not simply another pedestrian crossing. It is intended to bridge two different urban systems: a high-capacity underground railway and a major public waterfront destination. Tender documents indicate that the underground facility is being designed as a substantial pedestrian thoroughfare, with a finished width of at least six metres. Construction methods being considered include cut-and-cover, box pushing, NATM and other underground techniques suited to dense urban areas. The project also reflects a broader shift towards Transit-Oriented Development, where pedestrian infrastructure is planned around public transport rather than treating stations as isolated structures. This is increasingly important around Mahalaxmi, where railway, metro, monorail and road infrastructure are converging. A separate multimodal project in the area is already nearing completion and is designed to connect the suburban railway, Metro Line 3 and monorail through an elevated pedestrian corridor equipped with travelators.
For commuters, the Mahalaxmi Metro connector could provide a safer alternative to surface-level crossings and fragmented walking routes. It may also improve access to the Coastal Road promenade without forcing pedestrians to navigate busy roads or long diversions. Yet the project’s value will depend on how well its entrances connect with the surrounding street network. Urban planners note that underground links can become underused when station exits, crossings, lighting, accessibility and wayfinding are treated separately. Universal access, ventilation, drainage and maintenance will therefore be as important as the tunnel itself. The financial structure also warrants scrutiny. The BMC is expected to release funds in stages, while the project has been linked to Transit-Oriented Development provisions under DCPR 2034. The construction contract has already moved through the tender process, with a reported award value of ₹521.77 crore excluding GST, below the broader project estimate.
If delivered effectively, the Mahalaxmi Metro connector could strengthen Mumbai’s shift towards integrated, walkable transport. The next test will be whether construction, funding and long-term maintenance translate into a seamless public route rather than another disconnected piece of infrastructure.
