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Time to Complete Mumbai’s Inner Ring Road — An Urgent Call

  • Writer: Ajjay Bhagyakar
    Ajjay Bhagyakar
  • 3 days ago
  • 4 min read

Mumbai, a city always on the move, desperately needs the completion of its “Inner Ring Road” — a robust network of bridges, tunnels and coastal roads connecting its eastern suburbs, northern fringes and key urban corridors.

Recent proposals and ongoing work by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) reveal a transformative vision: a 70-kilometre underground tunnel network, coastal connectors and new link roads that promise to reshape how we travel across the metropolis. Hindustan Times+2The Indian Express+2

But to deliver on that vision — especially on the “East-Mumbai + Thane + Navi Mumbai corridor” — Mumbai needs yet another mega tunnel + bridge on the east.

That means:


  • Leveraging existing infrastructure like the Airoli Bridge and the Vashi Bridge. Wikipedia+1

  • Integrating with upcoming east-west/east-north connectors such as the planned Thane Coastal Road (Balkum–Gaimukh) to relieve pressure on the overloaded Ghodbunder Road. MMRDA+1

  • Incorporating tunnels under congested or environmentally sensitive zones — including proposals for underground corridors below built-up or protected areas.


What’s Already Happening — and What’s on the Drawing Board


70-km Underground Tunnel Network (MMRDA’s “Third Mode of Mobility”)


  • The MMRDA is working on a 70 km integrated tunnel network, envisioned as Mumbai’s “third mode of urban mobility” — complementing roads and rails. Hindustan Times+2Knocksense+2

  • Phase 1 (approx. 16 km) aims to link the southern coastal road (Worli) to the business hub Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and the city’s major airport terminal. Knocksense+1

  • Phase 2 proposes an east–west link (about 10 km), connecting Eastern Express Highway (EEH) to the Western Express Highway (WEH) — potentially easing traffic across east-west axis. PUNE PULSE - Trusted-Connected-Targeted+1

  • Phase 3 discusses a 44 km “north–south corridor” — envisaged to integrate with other tunnels like the under-construction Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel. Hindustan Times+2The Times of India+2


Once executed, this would be a game-changer for Mumbai — enabling commuters to bypass congested city roads, slashes travel times, and link major hubs seamlessly.


Thane Coastal Road: Balkum–Gaimukh (Greenfield 6-lane Road)


  • The proposed “Balkum to Gaimukh NH-3 Connector / Ghodbunder Bypass DP road (Thane Coastal Road)” has been approved by MMRDA. It is a 13.450 km greenfield, 6-lane coastal alignment intended to relieve Ghodbunder Road’s heavy load. MMRDA

  • This road will bypass densely populated and congested zones, especially where commercial and heavy-vehicle traffic frequently chokes the existing routes. MMRDA+1


Leveraging Existing Bridges — and Need for More ( Time to Complete Mumbai’s Inner Ring Road — An Urgent Call )


  • The Airoli Bridge and Vashi Bridge continue to form vital east-west connectors between Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. Wikipedia+1

  • But given increasing population, rising vehicular movement, and urban sprawl, existing bridges alone are not enough. We need additional mega-bridges / tunnels — especially on Mumbai’s eastern flank — to complete the envisioned Ring / Inner-Ring network.


Why Completing the Inner Ring Road Matters — For Citizens, Economy & Future


  • Decongestion & Time-Savings: A proper ring/tunnel/bridge network will drastically cut commute times between northern suburbs, eastern zones, Navi Mumbai and western suburbs — unlocking hours of daily life otherwise lost in traffic.

  • Better Freight & Logistics Flow: With improved connectivity between industrial belts, ports (like JNPT through Mumbai Trans Harbour Link / Atal Setu) and commercial hubs, supply chains will be faster and more efficient.

  • Urban De-blotch & Balanced Development: Instead of overloading central corridors, the ring-road network will distribute traffic evenly — reducing pressure on inner-city roads and enabling more planned urban expansion.

  • Preparedness for the Future: With sprawling growth and increasing vehicular load, building underground and coastal infrastructure now anticipates needs decades ahead — ensuring smoother mobility for future generations.


But — Important Challenges & What Needs to Happen


  • Environmental Concerns: Coastal roads, tunnels and bridges — especially along mangroves or near sensitive zones — need careful environmental assessment; cutting through greenery or protected zones must be weighed responsibly.

  • Holistic Planning & Integration: Projects like the tunnel network, coastal road, existing bridges, and ring-road must be integrated in a single master plan — so they complement, not compete.

  • Timely DPR, Clearances & Execution: Plans must translate quickly from proposal to action. Delays in feasibility studies or statutory approvals have historically slowed Mumbai’s infrastructure rollout.

  • Public Transparency & Accountability: Residents must be kept informed about alignments, environmental impact, long-term benefits — only then can such mega-projects garner wide support.


Conclusion — It’s Time to Act, City Needs It


Mumbai stands at a crossroads. On one hand — traffic snarls, congestion, lost hours, frustrated commuters. On the other — a bold, forward-looking vision to transform mobility with tunnels, bridges, coastal roads and ring-roads.

Completing the “Inner Ring Road / Tunnel-Bridge Network” — including coastal connectors, a massive underground grid, and strategic eastern bridges — is no longer a luxury: it’s a necessity.


As someone who cares for Mumbai’s future, I urge urban planners, policymakers and civic authorities to expedite the detailed project reports, integrate all proposed corridors, and begin phased execution. The city deserves nothing less. ( Time to Complete Mumbai’s Inner Ring Road — An Urgent Call )


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