MMRDA Proposes Massive Ring Road Network To Ease Traffic In Mumbai; All Details Here

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has unveiled a plan to encircle Mumbai with a network of ring roads to be constructed at an outlay of INR 58,000 crore. The proposal includes the development of roads, bridges and tunnels encircling the city from all directions, establishing connectivity to suburban regions and Gujarat, the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, and western Maharashtra.Here’s what you need to know about this mega-infrastructure project.Alleviating Congestion On Mumbai’s StreetsThe MMRDA aims to build a series of roads, bridges and tunnels, measuring over 90 kilometres, in a bid to ease traffic in Mumbai and cut travel time over the next five years. The financial capital has witnessed growing traffic snarls and rising congestion in recent years. The proposed plan will aim to reroute heavy traffic away from the city’s core, offering faster and more efficient travel options.At the centre of the mega plan are seven outer and inner ring roads that are currently in various stages of tendering and development. Various development authorities such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will join the MMRDA in establishing the ring road network.Most of these new roads will be tolled, with the goal of alleviating the burden on existing infrastructure. They are designed to ensure less traffic in Mumbai, aligning with the long-term vision of "Mumbai in Minutes," which aims to reduce travel time across the city to under an hour.The comprehensive plan includes several key projects: the Versova-Bandra Sea Link, the Versova-Dahisar and Mira Bhayander-Dahisar Link Road, the Alibaug-Virar Multi-Modal Corridor, and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, among others being monitored closely by NITI Aayog.Mumbai’s unique geography—surrounded by water on three sides—and the exceptionally dense population puts immense pressure on its existing transport systems. The city’s railways and roadways are notoriously overcrowded, making these upcoming ring roads crucial for relieving the burden. The city hopes to be the first in India with multiple ring roads traversing through sea, creek, forests and urban highways, using tunnels and elevated bridges.The projects, totalling INR 3 lakh crore from the MMRDA alone, are part of a larger infrastructure push. It will be supported by international agencies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The transformative road networks are expected to boost the economy and bring substantial urban development to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which already contributes over 4 per cent to India’s GDP. (With inputs from multiple news agencies)