Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Mega Metro Project Linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Airports
The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has given the green light to a significant 35-km Metro project that will link the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai international airports. The project, estimated to cost Rs 22,862 crore, is set to revolutionize connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
The Metro corridor will feature 20 stations, including six underground and 14 elevated stations. Land acquisition for the project, covering 30.7 hectares, is expected to cost Rs 388 crore, according to a release from the Chief Minister's Office.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that all land acquisition and approvals for the Metro project be completed within six months. The construction is expected to be finished within three years of the approvals. This ambitious timeline underscores the government's commitment to expediting the project and ensuring its timely completion.
Of the total 35-km Metro line, 9.25 km will be underground, running from Mumbai Airport Terminal 2 to Ghatkopar East. The remaining 24.63 km will be an elevated section, stretching from Ghatkopar West to Navi Mumbai Airport Terminal 2. This strategic design aims to minimize disruption to existing urban areas while ensuring efficient and modern transportation.
Fadnavis also instructed the concerned departments to expedite the extension of the Samruddhi Expressway on the Nagpur-Gondia and Bhandara-Gadchiroli routes. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity and infrastructure across the state.
In preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, the committee approved the Nashik city ring road project, spanning 66.15 km at a cost of Rs 3,954 crore. This project is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city during the massive religious event.
Additionally, the panel cleared the upgradation of the 85.76-km Navegaon More-Konsari-Mulchera-Hedri-Surjagad highway in Gadchiroli district into a four-lane cement concrete road. This upgrade will facilitate better transportation of minerals and boost economic activities in the region.
The approval of these projects marks a significant step towards enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in Maharashtra. The Metro project, in particular, is expected to provide a seamless travel experience for millions of passengers, fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
