Maharashtra Budget 2026: Fadnavis Announces Wadala–Gateway Metro and Airport Link

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced a series of major transport and infrastructure projects while presenting the Maharashtra Budget 2026, outlining an ambitious roadmap to strengthen connectivity across Mumbai and the rest of the state.

The budget includes several new metro corridors, airport connectivity projects, expressways and road infrastructure developments aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving travel efficiency.

The government said these projects will play a crucial role in modernising urban transport and supporting Maharashtra’s economic growth.

Mumbai Metro Line 11 To Connect Wadala And Gateway

One of the biggest highlights of the budget is the Mumbai Metro Line 11.

The fully underground metro corridor will connect Wadala to the iconic Gateway of India at an estimated cost of ₹23,487 crore.

The project is expected to significantly improve public transport connectivity to South Mumbai, which currently has limited metro access.

The government also announced plans to extend a metro corridor from the Dharavi Rehabilitation Project area to Bandra Terminus, strengthening travel links between central and western Mumbai.

Metro Link Between Mumbai And Navi Mumbai Airports

Another major project announced in the budget is Mumbai Metro Line 8, which will connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The metro corridor will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹22,862 crore.

Officials believe the project will make airport transfers faster and easier for passengers once the Navi Mumbai airport becomes fully operational.

Navi Mumbai Connectivity Projects Progressing

The government also highlighted progress on the Taloja–Khandeshwar Metro Line, which is expected to improve connectivity to the upcoming airport and support rapid urban growth in Navi Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Panvel–Karjat Rail Corridor is in its final stage and is expected to open for traffic soon.

Coastal Road And East-West Link Projects

To reduce congestion across Mumbai, the government has proposed building a network of underground subways in busy traffic corridors.

The first phase of the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road, designed to improve east-west connectivity across the city, is nearing completion.

Another major coastal infrastructure project, the Versova–Bhayander Coastal Road, has been targeted for completion by December 2028.

Mega Connectivity Vision For Maharashtra

At the state level, the government plans to develop nearly 1,200 kilometres of metro rail networks and around 6,000 kilometres of expressways in the coming years.

Officials also confirmed that work is underway to connect South Mumbai directly with the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg by 2028.

The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time across regions and strengthen economic connectivity throughout Maharashtra.