Will a $3.5 Billion Investment Improve Mumbai's Traffic Reduction and Urban Mobility?

By Lodha

Mumbai is as diverse as its population, from the business districts in the Southern areas to the historic Aarey Forest in the north and everything in between. Whether you are a true-blue Mumbaikar or new to the city, you will find opportunities around every corner. However, any city is as good as its infrastructure. Over the last few decades, Mumbai’s infrastructure development has grown steadily to keep up with its burgeoning population and demands. Recently, a large investment was set aside for integral infrastructural projects to improve travel time and commercial operations for individuals and businesses in Mumbai.

A Substantial Influx of Investment

In the second half of 2024, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the injection of a substantial investment to improve Mumbai’s infrastructure. The Indian Government said it would inject around 294 billion rupees ($3.5 billion) to revamp the nation’s financial hub. One of the main reasons for the increased need for infrastructure in the city is to reduce traffic congestion on its roads and to help commuters traverse its landscape quickly and seamlessly. Simultaneously, such infrastructural growth will also generate jobs and boost employment in the city, helping various residents earn their livelihood. Here are a few of Mumbai’s upcoming infrastructure projects the investment is likely to be applied towards:

Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel

Spanning 11.8 km, the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel is a project led by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development. The project features twin tunnels measuring 2 x 10.8km with combined approach roads of 1km on both sides. It will fall under the lush and green Sanjay Gandhi National Park and will comprise 3 tunnels built using mega boring machines. Located at 23 m below the surface, the tunnels will help connect Ekta Nagar in Borivali to Manpada in Thane. Normally, travelling between Thane and Borivali can take commuters up to 1-2 hours depending on traffic. However, the tunnels will cut down the travel time between the two areas to just 15 minutes, expediting commute for residents.

Cargo Terminal in Navi Mumbai

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is another project at the receiving end of the hefty investment. Likely to become operational early next year, the airport will serve as a cargo green shoot, allowing for various transport nodes to work in tandem to bolster India’s import/export trade and logistics industry. Not only will NMIA de-congest the already over-exercised Mumbai Airport, but its congestion-free access systems will also make it an attractive option. Designed to function as an efficient cargo terminal, the airport will be able to handle 8 lakh tonnes of cargo in its first phase. It will help speed up shipping, preserve perishables, and increase customer satisfaction.

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, or the Atal Setu, is a grade-separated expressway bridge featuring six lanes. It is known as the longest sea bridge in India and will mainly connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai. The bridge will begin in South Mumbai, at Sewri, go over Thane Creek, and end at Uran Taluka in Navi Mumbai. It will also connect to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Coastal Road, allowing for holistic connectivity. Mumbai’s new bridge project is expected to connect to Goa and regions of the South over time. Currently, Atal Setu is the key to reducing travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to mere minutes and making travelling to Pune quicker.

The influx of investment into Mumbai’s infrastructure will only increase the appeal of the city and improve the residents’ quality of life. With so much time, energy, and capital being injected into developing the city’s infrastructure and connectivity, investing in Mumbai’s real estate could be a real asset. If you want to harness the city’s robust road network, bridges, and public transport, look no further than Lodha, one of the top builders in Mumbai. At Lodha, we choose locations that help you access the city easily without compromising on our impeccable construction quality. While our team of top designers from India and warm hospitality staff keep your interior life luxe, our locations, from Lodha Upper Thane in Thane to Lodha Altus in Borivali, allow you to access everything the city has to offer.

Lodha is the way to build a beautiful life in the city of dreams and fulfil your aspirations.