Maharashtra’s Cable Car Project in Mumbai Metropolitan Region gets in-principle approval

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): Maharashtra's Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, announced on Tuesday that the much-anticipated cable car project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has received in-principle approval from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The approval was granted during a meeting of state transport ministers in New Delhi, marking a significant step forward in the region's transportation development.

The cable car system, presented by Sarnaik at the meeting, is designed to alleviate the growing transportation challenges posed by rapid urbanisation in the MMR. It aims to provide a modern, sustainable, and efficient solution to the congestion issues that currently plague the region, which spans from Palghar to Uran-Pen in Raigad district.

This transformative project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, or potentially through a joint financial collaboration between the central and state governments. The proposal received strong backing from Gadkari, who emphasized the importance of integrating innovative transport solutions to ease the pressure on existing infrastructure.

To move the project forward, Gadkari directed V Umashankar, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to conduct a survey and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Sarnaik highlighted that the cable car system is seen as a crucial addition to the region's transport network, offering an alternative to the increasingly strained roads, railways, and metro systems.

With urbanisation rapidly expanding and existing transport systems struggling to keep pace, the cable car project is seen as a key solution to improve mobility. Gadkari underlined the need for an integrated transport system, particularly to reduce travel time between the suburbs and Mumbai Airport, as part of the broader efforts to modernise transportation across the MMR.

As the project progresses, it promises to not only enhance daily commutes but also contribute to the long-term vision of a sustainable and interconnected transport network for Mumbai and its surrounding areas.