Maharashtra Government Forms Task Force to Enhance Urban Transport Network by 2047

Mumbai, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards modernizing urban transportation by establishing a high-level task force. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive framework for expanding the railway network, metro corridors, and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and other urban areas of the state.

This move aligns with the vision of “Developed Maharashtra 2047,” which seeks to plan and expand the transport network in a more efficient and systematic manner. The task force was formed following a high-level meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development-1) on October 7.

The newly formed task force is tasked with presenting its strategic recommendations and report within six months. Key responsibilities include preparing policy recommendations and coordination measures to ensure the seamless integration of public transport networks under the “Developed Maharashtra 2047” goals. It will also conduct in-depth evaluations regarding the feasibility, suitability, and economic viability of implementing specific transportation systems in designated areas, as well as assess the expansion of the railway network, metro corridors, and the implementation of RRTS to connect major cities with semi-high-speed rail.

The task force will be chaired by the Chairman and Managing Director of the Mumbai Railway Development Corporation (MRVC), with the Chief Manager (Planning) of MRVC serving as the member secretary. Other members include the Joint Secretary (UD-7) from the Urban Development Department, directors from the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) based in Nagpur and Pune, and the Director (Planning) from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), along with the head of Transport and Communication from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Invited representatives from planning departments include officials from CIDCO (Navi Mumbai), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Nashik Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited.

The transport network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is a vast, multifaceted public transport system serving millions of passengers daily. It is based on a historic suburban railway network, rapidly expanding metro lines, and feeder systems.

Spanning over 435 kilometers, Mumbai’s suburban rail network is one of the oldest and busiest in Asia, serving nearly 7.5 million passengers every day. It primarily operates on three major routes: the Western Line, Central Line, and Harbour Line, extending from South Mumbai to the sprawling suburbs and neighboring districts.

Continuous improvement efforts are underway under the management of entities such as Central Railway, Western Railway, and MRVC, focusing on capacity enhancements, station upgrades, and modernization of rolling stock, including the extensive introduction of air-conditioned local train services.