Mumbai’s Mega Infrastructure Leap

From faster commutes to massive ports, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently revealed his ambitious plans for a future-ready infrastructure revolution.

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has outlined key projects aimed at Mumbai’s development and highlighted major infrastructure initiatives across Maharashtra. He recently spoke of his mind during a public interview.

According to him, work on the Bandra to Versova Sea Link is already in progress. Additionally, a Versova to Madh Sea Link is planned, which will further extend to Virar, along with another sea link connecting Versova to Bhayander. He explained that 60 per cent of Mumbai's traffic is concentrated on the western side, and these projects aim to ease congestion on the Western Express Highway.

According to him, the travel time from Mumbai city to Virar by road during peak hours can take anywhere between two and a half to four hours. However, with these proposed projects, the journey time is expected to be reduced to about 45 to 50 minutes.

That's not all— Fadnavis also has plans for a corridor from Virar to Alibaug, along with a circular road connecting Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Potential of Vadhan

Fadnavis has highlighted the potential of proposed port at Vadhvan in Palghar district to elevate Maharashtra’s and India’s maritime capabilities, positioning it as a key driver of economic growth.

Mumbai's business and industrial appeal is largely driven by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which currently handles 65 per cent of the city’s container traffic. Fadnavis noted that the proposed Vadhvan Port will be three times larger. Strategically located 10 km offshore from Vadhvan Point, it boasts a natural depth of 20 metres or 66 ft, enabling it to accommodate large vessels, including Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS).

Fourth Mumbai

Fadnavis shared that he had proposed an airport in this area to the Prime Minister, who approved the plan. The region will also feature a bullet train and is three times the size of Mumbai, envisioned as the "fourth Mumbai".

Meanwhile, the "third Mumbai" is being developed near Atul Setu as a major industrial and technological hub. This area will house 65 per cent of the state’s data centre capacity, with scope for future expansion.

Discussing future plans, the CM detailed key infrastructure projects, including road construction and the Shaktipeeth or Goa-Nagpur highway, which he said would transform Maharashtra. He also spoke about the river linkage project, which aims to connect the Wainganga and Nalganga rivers, creating a new 550-kilometre waterway to make seven districts in the Vidarbha region drought-free.

River linkage

The CM Fadnavis also shared plans to divert 54 TMC (thousand cubic feet) of water, which currently flows into the sea, to the Godavari River through a river linkage project. While 49% of Maharashtra relies on the Godavari, it remains a deficit basin. However, this initiative aims to make Northern Maharashtra and Marathwada drought-free.

While these are some of the key projects highlighted by Fadnavis, he also mentioned other initiatives in the pipeline, including new airports in Pune and Nagpur. Additionally, there are plans to transform Mumbai Airport into a brownfield project.

He concluded by stating that whether it is building a port, road, airport, or housing project, the government has undertaken the country’s largest target under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana—20 lakh houses. Of these, 10 lakh have already been allocated, with an additional five lakh to be distributed soon. Initiating the construction of 20 lakh houses in a single year marks a historic record for India.

Maharashtra's ambitious infrastructure push aims to ease congestion, boost trade, and enhance water security. It is a welcome and long-overdue solution to the state’s growing needs.