5 Bold Mega Railway & Transit Suggestions for Mumbai

By Ajjay Bhagyakar — Published by Griha Realty

Mumbai’s daily grind — long commutes, packed roads, overburdened rail — calls for visionary infrastructure thinking. A recent public post urges the government to consider these five transformative transit proposals. With new developments in tunnels, metro, and airport-connectivity underway in 2025, now may be the moment to push these ideas forward.

Here are the five major suggestions that stand out, and why they make sense:

1. Wadi Bunder → Uran Undersea / Underground Mumbai Local Tunnel (SoBo → NMIA direct connectivity)

The idea: a rail/tunnel link from South Bombay (Wadi Bunder) to Uran — enabling direct access from SoBo to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Such a link could bypass the crowded city roads and harbour routes, offering a seamless, city-to-airport/local-train connection.

This is in line with a larger vision by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for a 70-km integrated tunnel-road network — a new “third mode” of mobility for Mumbai, complementing surface roads and metro/rail lines. The Economic Times+2Hindustan Times+2

2. Kandivali → Mulund → Airoli → Thane (Bullet-Train Station) → Dombivli Metro

This suggestion envisions an east–west / north–east transit spine that binds western suburbs (Kandivali), central/eastern zones (Mulund, Airoli), and northern suburbs (Thane), linking up with a bullet-train station — and further extending to Dombivli via a dedicated metro.

Such suburb-to-suburb connectivity (beyond the radial, city-center focused routes) could decongest central Mumbai, distribute commuter load more evenly, and serve the growing population across multiple zones.

3. Walkeshwar → Science Centre → Dadar → EEH → New Thane → Balkum Metro Corridor

A north–south/central–north corridor starting from south-central zones (Walkeshwar, Science Centre area) through central nodes (Dadar, Eastern Express Highway), and pushing northwards to a “New Thane” and Balkum.

This corridor could act as a vital backbone for commuters traveling between south/central Mumbai and northern suburbs — offering an alternative to over-crowded road-based travel, and supporting ease of movement for jobs, education, and housing across zones.

4. Coastal Road → Peddar Road → Byculla → Lalbaug → Sion → BKC → Saki Naka → Powai → IIM Mumbai Corridor

This ambitious corridor aims to weave together southern, central and north-eastern parts of the city — from beachfront/coastal zones through old city precincts, business hubs (like BKC), then suburban pockets (Saki Naka, Powai), culminating at a proposed institution such as “IIM Mumbai.”

Given that MMRDA has begun a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a 70-km underground corridor linking coastal road with airport, BKC and other hubs, this suggestion could dovetail well with ongoing infrastructure efforts. The Indian Express+2Mumbai Live+2 The corridor could integrate metro, tunnel, and road — greatly enhancing inter-zone connectivity.

5. Thane → Navi Mumbai Airport Metro (Link to NMIA)

With NMIA coming up as a major air-hub, a dedicated metro connection from northern suburbs (Thane) to the airport would serve as a vital corridor — offering fast, public-transport connectivity for thousands of commuters and travellers.

This would align with existing and proposed metro/airport lines — such as the proposed Gold Line (Mumbai Metro), planned to link the city’s major airports (though not yet approved). Wikipedia+1

Why These Suggestions Matter — Especially Now

• Mumbai is going underground — literally. The MMRDA has initiated work on a 70-km integrated tunnel network, intended to become the city’s “third mode” of mobility, alongside roads and metro/rail. The plan aims to link coastal road, airport, business hubs and critical corridors via subterranean tunnels — clearing surface congestion. The Economic Times+2The Daily Jagran+2

• Suburbs & new hubs are rising — we need multi-directional connectivity. Areas like Thane, Airoli, Dombivli, Uran/Navi Mumbai are growing fast. Radial connections to South Mumbai or central business districts won’t suffice: cross-suburb, suburb-to-airport and suburb-to-suburb connectivity will define the city’s future mobility needs.

• Multi-modal integration is the future. Combining metro, railway, tunnels, coastal roads and airport links can create a layered network — giving commuters flexibility, reducing load on any one system, and decongesting roads.

• Unlocking real estate & urban potential. Improved connectivity drives development: better transit can spread residential & commercial growth beyond traditional hotspots, de-densify city-core load and improve quality of life.

What Government / Planners Should Do — Recommendation

• Commission feasibility studies or Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the more visionary links — especially the under-sea/underground tunnel between Wadi Bunder and Uran/NMIA, and the long cross-city corridors.

• Prioritise east–west & suburb-to-suburb connectivity, not just radial public transport; this will ease central Mumbai’s burden and serve newer growth zones.

• Align upcoming metro and tunnel projects with the emerging airport infrastructure (both existing and NMIA), ensuring seamless airport connectivity.

• Embrace multi-modal corridors — integrating metro, tunnels, coastal roads — to build a robust, redundant network for commuters and freight.

• Ensure transit-oriented planning: improved public transport should go hand-in-hand with sustainable urban growth and infrastructure development.

Conclusion ( 5 Bold Mega Railway & Transit Suggestions for Mumbai )

Mumbai stands at a pivotal moment. With growth spreading across the metropolitan region — from Uran/Navi Mumbai to Thane, Dombivli, Powai, and beyond — its mobility infrastructure must evolve accordingly. The five suggestions outlined above are more than ambitious ideas: they are potential game-changers.

If planned, studied and executed wisely, they can reshape how Mumbaikars travel — reducing commute times, unlocking new urban zones, and decongesting the city’s crowded roads. For that, what’s needed now is bold vision, detailed planning, and political will. The time to act is now. 5 Bold Mega Railway & Transit Suggestions for Mumbai

Source: public suggestions (X.com)