Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to prepare a detailed feasibility report for a proposed tunnel that would connect Mumbai to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The move aims to improve travel convenience and reduce congestion once the airport becomes operational.
According to a statement from Shinde’s office, the new airport, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is designed to handle up to two crore passengers every year.
The inauguration ceremony will take place on Wednesday in the presence of PM Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, among others. The first commercial flight from the airport is expected to take off in December.
According to the officials, a significant rise in traffic is expected once the airport begins operations, which could put pressure on the existing road network.
To address this, the government is exploring new ways to strengthen connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Shinde stressed the need for an integrated transport network linking the airport to suburban rail, Metro corridors, and waterways.
“To ensure seamless movement, the deputy chief minister has instructed the MMRDA Commissioner to study the feasibility of constructing a tunnel connecting the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and Bandra Kurla Complex to the Navi Mumbai Airport," the statement said.
Shinde also instructed officials to look into integrating the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project with major regional transport points like the Mhatardi bullet train station in Thane, Kopar railway station, and the Taloja Metro station.
The Mhatardi station, currently being developed in Diva, is envisioned as a major transport hub that will bring together bullet trains, suburban trains, Metro routes, and highways, boosting seamless, multimodal connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
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