Maharashtra CM announces Rs 23,487-cr metro line to Gateway of India, underground tunnel network

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced major infrastructure initiatives in the state Budget 2026-27, including an extensive network of underground tunnels in Mumbai and Pune and a Rs 23,487-crore metro line connecting the Gateway of India.

Addressing the state assembly, Fadnavis outlined the government’s ambitious plan to develop 1,200 km of metro lines and over 6,000 km of expressways by 2047, aiming to create seamless connectivity for both passenger and freight transport across Maharashtra.

The Chief Minister said that work on a 490 km metro network across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur is already underway, with 173 km operational . Another 50 km of metro lines are expected to become functional in the next year, while 165 km will be completed by 2029.

A centerpiece of the projects is Metro Line 11 , a fully underground corridor from Wadala to the Gateway of India, costing Rs 23,487 crore, which is planned to extend further from Dharavi to Bandra suburban station and Bandra Terminus. Additionally, the Navi Mumbai Metro 2 , stretching from Taloja to Khandeshwar at a cost of Rs 5,575 crore, will enhance transport connectivity in the satellite city.

Fadnavis highlighted the progress on key underground tunnels, including the Orange Gate-Eastern Freeway-Marine Drive tunnel , with the launching shaft already constructed and project completion targeted for December 2028. The Goregaon-Mulund tunnel , linking Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs, is in its final stages, while the Thane-Borivali tunnel is expected to be ready by June 2028.

Under the integrated underground road project, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link will be connected to the bullet train station at Bandra Kurla Complex, which will then link to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport . Plans are also afoot for a 6 km underground tunnel and 9 km elevated road in Mira-Bhayander.

Other major road initiatives include an elevated road from Atal Setu to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (Rs 1,102 crore) slated for completion by February 2027, the Sewree-Worli elevated road for signal-free traffic between Atal Setu, Coastal Road, and Bandra-Worli Sea Link (completion by September 2026), and an elevated road connecting Thane to Navi Mumbai International Airport .

Fadnavis also announced a greenfield expressway from Kalyan in Thane district to Latur, with alignment planning already underway.