18 July,2026 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved a direct foot over bridge (FOB) connecting a Metro station on Mumbai Metro Line 4 with the Godrej commercial campus in Vikhroli as part of its efforts to strengthen last-mile connectivity across the city's Metro network.
According to MMRDA, the initiative is aimed at providing commuters with seamless access between Metro stations and adjoining commercial and residential developments, improving pedestrian safety, reducing travel time and encouraging greater use of public transport.
MMRDA said the proposed foot over bridge will allow employees, visitors and commuters to travel directly between the Metro station and the Godrej campus without having to cross the busy LBS Road.
The authority said the project is expected to improve commuter convenience while reducing pedestrian movement on surrounding roads.
The approval marks the second project to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under MMRDA's direct Metro connectivity policy. The first such approval was granted for a direct connection between Metro Line 7 to Oberoi's SkyCity Mall in Borivali.
According to MMRDA, commercial and residential developments seeking direct access to Metro stations are required to pay a one-time, non-refundable development fee under its policy framework.
The authority said applicants must bear the entire cost of designing and constructing the foot over bridge and pay an additional six per cent of the construction cost towards MMRDA's supervision charges to ensure compliance with engineering, structural and safety standards.
Every proposal undergoes technical, structural and safety assessments before permission or a No Objection Certificate is granted, MMRDA said.
As part of the Vikhroli project, Godrej & Boyce has paid a one-time, non-refundable development fee of Rs 10 crore to MMRDA. The company will also bear the full cost of constructing the foot over bridge.
MMRDA said the model has already demonstrated benefits through the direct Metro connection to Oberoi Mall, allowing commuters to access the commercial complex without stepping onto the main road.
The authority is also examining several similar proposals across the Metro network. Among them is a proposal from Bharat Diamond Bourse for direct connectivity to Metro Line 2B.
According to MMRDA, once implemented, the project is expected to benefit nearly 40,000 daily users by reducing pedestrian congestion around the station and encouraging greater Metro usage.
According to MMRDA, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the policy aims to improve last-mile connectivity while strengthening the financial sustainability of Mumbai's Metro network.
"The Government has introduced this policy to provide direct Metro access to major commercial and residential developments, thereby strengthening last-mile connectivity. It is a win-win model for both commuters and the Metro system. While direct connectivity encourages more people to use the Metro, resulting in higher fare revenue, the one-time development fee and other Non-Fare Box Revenue generated under this policy further strengthen the financial sustainability of the Metro network. This innovative approach enables us to expand and sustain world-class public transport infrastructure without placing the entire financial burden on commuters."
According to MMRDA, Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said every proposal is subjected to rigorous technical and safety scrutiny before approval.
"We are receiving encouraging responses from commercial establishments and residential developments seeking direct Metro connectivity. Every proposal undergoes rigorous technical and safety scrutiny before approval. These initiatives improve last-mile connectivity, reduce congestion around Metro stations, strengthen commuter convenience and generate sustainable non-fare revenue that supports the long-term financial health of the Metro network."
MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee said seamless last-mile connectivity plays a crucial role in increasing public transport usage.
"Last-mile connectivity is one of the most important factors influencing public transport usage. Through this initiative, MMRDA is creating seamless integration between Metro stations and major commercial and residential destinations while ensuring that the cost of such connectivity is borne by the beneficiary institutions. This not only improves commuter experience and promotes higher Metro ridership but also supports the financial sustainability of Maha Mumbai Metro. We welcome more eligible developments to partner with us while maintaining the highest engineering and safety standards."
According to MMRDA, the direct connectivity policy is intended to improve commuter access to Metro stations while generating non-fare revenue that can support the long-term expansion and maintenance of Mumbai's Metro network.
