CM Approves Gaumukh–Fountain Hotel Tunnel, Bhayander Elevated Corridor and Navi Mumbai Metro Expansion

Cabinet Infrastructure Committee Clears Projects Worth ₹22,611 Crore

Mumbai, June 2026 : The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved infrastructure projects worth ₹22,611 crore aimed at improving transportation across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The approved projects include the Gaumukh–Fountain Hotel tunnel and Fountain Hotel–Bhayander elevated corridor worth ₹17,036 crore, along with the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A and Metro Line 2 expansion projects worth ₹5,575 crore.

Expressing confidence in the transformative impact of these projects, Chief Minister Fadnavis said they would make transportation in the region faster, smoother and more efficient.

The Cabinet Infrastructure Committee meeting was held at Mantralaya and was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Industries Minister Dr. Uday Samant, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and other senior government officials.

Major Relief for Ghodbunder Road Traffic

Under the approved proposal, a 5.86-kilometre six-lane tunnel will be constructed between Gaumukh and Fountain Hotel, while a 9.58-kilometre six-lane elevated corridor will be built between Fountain Hotel and Bhayander.

The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between western Mumbai and key destinations such as Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik, Panvel and National Highway-48. It will provide a faster and more convenient transport corridor for commuters and commercial traffic.

The tunnel will be constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and will have a diameter of 14 metres. Authorities have targeted completion of the tunnel within approximately five years.

The elevated corridor, which will run parallel to the Vasai Creek, is designed to support vehicle speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, reducing travel time considerably.

Officials said the project would play a crucial role in easing congestion on Ghodbunder Road, which currently experiences heavy traffic volumes and a large number of freight vehicles. The new route will provide an alternative corridor, particularly for traffic heading towards Thane and Gujarat.

The project will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework. Both the Central and State Governments will provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to support its execution.

The Chief Minister also approved the appointment of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as a Special Planning Authority for the project area.

Navi Mumbai Metro Expansion Approved

The committee also approved CIDCO’s proposals for Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1A connecting Sagar Sangam to CBD Belapur and Metro Line 2 connecting Pendhar to Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal-4.

With these extensions, a continuous 28-kilometre metro corridor will be created between Sagar Sangam and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, significantly enhancing urban mobility in the rapidly developing region.

The expansion includes two stations on Metro Line 1A and eleven stations on Metro Line 2.

According to projections, the expanded metro network is expected to serve nearly 1.2 million passengers daily in the future, offering a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport option.

The state government believes these major transportation projects will strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, reduce travel times and improve the overall quality of life for residents across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.