09 June,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
The Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved projects worth Rs 22,611 crore in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including a tunnel and elevated road corridor linking Gaimukh and Bhayandar, as well as the expansion of the Navi Mumbai Metro network.
The committee cleared the Rs 17,036 crore Gaimukh-Fountain Hotel tunnel and Fountain Hotel-Bhayandar elevated road project, along with the Rs 5,575 crore Navi Mumbai Metro Line-1A and Line-2 extension projects. The approvals are aimed at decongesting key traffic corridors and improving regional connectivity.
Speaking at the meeting held at Mantralaya, Fadnavis said the projects would significantly enhance mobility across the MMR and provide faster, more efficient transport options for commuters.
The proposed road project comprises a 5.86 km six-lane tunnel between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel and a 9.58 km six-lane elevated corridor connecting Fountain Hotel to Bhayandar. Once completed, the corridor is expected to improve connectivity between western Mumbai and major destinations, including Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik, Panvel, and National Highway 48.
Officials said the tunnel will be constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and will have a diameter of 14 metres. The project is expected to be completed within five years.
The elevated road, planned parallel to the Vasai Creek, has been designed to support vehicle speeds of up to 100 kmph, offering a faster alternative route for traffic travelling towards Thane and Gujarat.
Authorities believe the project will play a crucial role in reducing congestion on the heavily burdened Ghodbunder Road, particularly by diverting long-distance and heavy vehicular traffic away from existing bottlenecks.
The project will be implemented under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model through a public-private partnership. Funding support will be provided by both the Centre and the state government through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
The committee also approved the appointment of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the Special Planning Authority for the project area.
In another significant decision, the committee approved the expansion of Navi Mumbai Metro Line-1A, connecting Sagar Sangam and CBD Belapur, and Metro Line-2, linking Pendhar with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The metro expansion, being undertaken by CIDCO, will create a continuous 28-km metro corridor from Sagar Sangam to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The project includes two stations on Line-1A and 11 stations on Line-2.
Once operational, the expanded metro network is expected to cater to nearly 12 lakh passengers daily, providing seamless connectivity across Navi Mumbai and improving access to the upcoming international airport.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with senior ministers and top government officials.
