The Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, greenlit transformative projects on Tuesday, including a 25-km elevated corridor connecting Thane to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the 16-km underground Metro Line 11 from Wadala Depot to Gateway of India. These initiatives, aimed at revolutionizing connectivity and urban mobility, are part of a broader push to modernize transport infrastructure across Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Nagpur.
The 25-km Thane-NMIA corridor, estimated at ₹8,000 crore, will feature a 17-km elevated stretch from Dhan Nirankari Chowk in Digha to Vashi, running parallel to the congested Thane-Belapur Road, and a 9-km double-decker elevated road from Vashi to NMIA. The project, spearheaded by CIDCO and MMRDA, aims to slash travel time to the airport, set to open in June 2026, while navigating environmental challenges like mangrove areas and coastal regulation zones.
Metro Line 11, a ₹24,000-crore fully underground corridor, will span 16 km with key stations at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk and Horniman Circle. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it will enhance Mumbai’s metro network, integrating with existing lines and easing congestion. A joint commercial complex with BEST is also planned, boosting revenue for the transport body.
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Additional approvals include third and fourth railway tracks for the Pune-Lonavala corridor to support industrial and residential growth, and 268 air-conditioned local train coaches under MUTP Phases 3 and 3A, featuring metro-style automatic doors without fare hikes. In Pune, Metro Phase 1 extensions to Balajinagar, Bibwewadi, Swargate, and Katraj were cleared, while Nagpur will see a new township and ring road to decongest routes.
Fadnavis emphasized that these projects will accelerate Maharashtra’s development, offering seamless, modern transport solutions for commuters and businesses alike, aligning with the state’s vision for urban transformation.
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