09 June,2026 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The Metro Line 3 has brought parts of BKC within walking distance of rapid transit FILE PIC
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), in association with research organisation WRI India, launched the âBKC Weekly Public Transport Day' - a first-of-its-kind initiative for a business district in India - on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5).
The move comes in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call urging citizens to use public transport, and in alignment with the Maharashtra government's circular encouraging government employees and senior officials to use the Metro, suburban rail service, or buses at least once a week.
The high-level roundtable held on Friday. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The announcement was made during a meeting attended by senior government officials, transport agencies, corporate leaders, and mobility experts, who collectively adopted a resolution to encourage employees and organisations to commute by public or shared transport every Friday.
The discussions highlighted that congestion, inadequate first-and-last-mile connectivity, and limited transport choices remain among the biggest challenges faced by commuters travelling to BKC.
>> BKC hosts nearly 2 lakh formal jobs, and an equal or higher number of informal jobs
>> BKC houses 75 per cent of BSE Sensex companies
>> BKC houses 50 per cent of Nifty 50 companies
>> 52 per cent of commuters rely on personal vehicles, taxis, and autorickshaws
>> 25 per cent of commuters use public transport
>> More than 54 per cent of commuters spend over two hours travelling each day
>> One in five commuters spends over three hours travelling each day
>> 82 per cent of commuters express willingness to shift to public transport if services are reliable, comfortable, and convenient
The initiative gains further significance as BKC enters a new era of connectivity. The Metro Line 3 has already brought parts of the district within walking distance of rapid transit, while upcoming Metro Lines 2B and 4 are expected to place almost the entire business district within 1 km of a Metro station, creating unprecedented opportunities for sustainable commuting.
Participants also discussed a range of interventions to strengthen public transport adoption, including enhanced feeder bus services, improved pedestrian infrastructure, better integration with the Mumbai One platform, dedicated auto rickshaw facilities near transit hubs, and corporate incentive programmes that reward employees and organisations for choosing sustainable modes of travel.
Representatives from the MMRC, Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL), BEST Undertaking, traffic police, corporates, BKC Moves Collective members, and mobility experts participated in the meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing sustainable mobility through collaborative action.
The BKC Weekly Public Transport Day initiative is expected to serve as a national model, demonstrating how government agencies, transport operators, and businesses can work together to create cleaner, less congested, and more sustainable urban centres.
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA
âBKC is one of India's most important business districts and has the potential to demonstrate how collective action can transform urban mobility. Even a modest shift towards public transport and shared mobility can significantly reduce congestion, improve travel efficiency, lower emissions, and enhance quality of life.
Through Weekly Public Transport Day, we are creating a movement that can become a model for business districts across India. Meaningful change begins with each one of us. My entire MMRDA team and I have pledged to support this initiative by using public transport on Fridays and encouraging a culture of sustainable mobility. Together, through small but consistent actions, we can create a cleaner, greener and more efficient Mumbai.'
