The much-anticipated cable car project for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has received in-principle approval from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, according to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Sarnaik announced the approval after a meeting of state transport ministers held in New Delhi on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Sarnaik presented the cable car project as a modern solution to the growing transportation challenges in the MMR, which spans areas from Palghar to Uran-Pen in Raigad district. The project aims to address the region’s urbanization and the increasing pressure on its public transport systems, including roads, railways, and metro services, which have struggled to keep up with the rapid growth.
The cable car project will be developed through a public-private partnership or a joint financial collaboration between the central and state governments. Gadkari has instructed V Umashankar, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to initiate a survey and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to assess the technical and financial feasibility of the project.
Minister Gadkari emphasized the importance of creating an integrated transport system to reduce travel time across MMR, particularly between the suburbs and Mumbai Airport. Sarnaik added that a comprehensive transport plan, incorporating the cable car project and other innovative solutions, would be presented soon.
The cable car system is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and provide a reliable mode of transport for commuters. The approval brings the project one step closer to becoming a reality, promising to revolutionize urban mobility in the MMR.
