Shinde Pushes For Tunnel And Integrated Transport Links To Seamlessly Connect Mumbai With Navi Mumbai International Airport

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to prepare a detailed feasibility report on constructing a tunnel linking Mumbai with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The meeting held at the MSRDC office on Monday (6 October) was attended by Deputy Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Naveen Sona, Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee and other senior officials.

The DCM’s office stated that the airport, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 October, is designed to handle up to two crore passengers annually.

With rising vehicular traffic from Mumbai, existing routes are unlikely to meet the projected demand, particularly as air traffic at the new airport increases.

"It will be necessary to seamlessly connect this airport with the national highway, suburban railway, metro, and water transport network. In this regard, the Deputy Chief Minister has asked the Metropolitan Commissioner to examine whether the existing Sea Link, BKC to Navi Mumbai Airport tunnel can be constructed," the statement said.

Officials emphasised that such an integrated connectivity approach is critical to managing the massive influx of passengers and commuters, ensuring seamless movement between Mumbai and the new airport.

The proposed tunnel and transport linkages are part of broader efforts to create a well-connected, multimodal transit ecosystem for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The feasibility report from MMRDA will provide a roadmap for executing the tunnel project, assessing technical challenges, projected traffic loads, and potential cost implications.

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