The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is currently planning a mega road network across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This network will span from Vadodara, Gujarat border up North to Alibaug in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra down South and towards Navi Mumbai/Thane.
Reporting on the network, The Indian Express accessed the masterplan prepared by the MMRDA. This vast network of roads, flyovers, bridges, coastal roads and underwater tunnels aim at decongesting Mumbai by 2029.
The MMRDA has authorised the construction of an additional 90.18 kilometers of road network, with an estimated cost of Rs 58,517 crore. This project will connect the Outer Ring Roads to the inner Ring Roads, facilitating uninterrupted travel between North and South Mumbai and enhancing East-West connectivity, IE reported.
The inner Ring Roads are designed to accommodate the rapid urbanisation of Mumbai and Thane. However, the initiative extends beyond just road construction, the total estimated cost for all infrastructure projects in the MMR – including metro systems, new roads, bridges, flyovers, and slum development – amounts to Rs 3 lakh crore.
To build the Ring Roads and the other necessary connecting roads, several development authorities such as MMRDA, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will come together. What makes these Ring Roads significant is their emphasis on enhancing East-West connectivity.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region: Ring Roads network
First Ring Road – Nariman Point-Coastal Road-Worli Sewri Connector-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The first Ring Road starts at Nariman Point on the Mumbai Coastal Road, moving onto the the Bandra-Worli Sea Link at the Worli Junction. From that point, a right turn leads to the Sewri-Worli Connector, which connects to the southern end of the Atal Setu. The route extends to the proposed Orange Gate Tunnel and ultimately loops back to Nariman Point via the Coastal Road.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road
Length: 6.7 km
Undertaken by: BMC
Cost: Rs 9,500 crore
Status: Open to traffic
Sewri-Worli Connector
Length: 4.5 km
Undertaken by: MMRDA
Status: Under construction
Expected Completion: December 2025
Contractor: JKumar Infra
Eastern Freeway
Status: Open to traffic
Developed by: MMRDA
Orange Gate Tunnel
Length: 9.5 km
Undertaken by: MMRDA
Projected Cost: Rs 7,765 crore
Status: Tender awarded, work to begin soon
Contractor: L&T
Second Ring Road – Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-WEH-Santacruz Chembur Link Road-EEH-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The second Ring Road also starts at the Mariman point on the Mumbai Coastal Road and extends to Bandra-Worli Sea Link. It will link to Western Express Highway (WEH) extending up to the Santacruz Junction. It then continues along the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR), merging with the Eastern Express Highway and passing through the Eastern Freeway. This route leads to the upcoming Orange Gate Tunnel, ultimately reconnecting with the Mumbai Coastal Road to complete the Ring Road.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road at Nariman Point to Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Length: 5.6 km
Undertaken by: MSRDC
Cost: Rs 1,306 crore
Status: Open to traffic
Bandra Junction to Kalanagar, WEH up to Santacruz
Length: 3.5 km
Status: Open to traffic
Managed by: BMC
SCLR (Santacruz-Chembur Link Road)
Connects to: Eastern Express Highway
Length: 6.4 km
Status: Open to traffic
Eastern Freeway (open to traffic)
Orange Gate Tunnel to Mumbai Coastal Road to Nariman Point
Third Ring Road – Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-WEH-JVLR-Kanjurmarg Junction-Eastern Freeway Extension-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The third Ring Road starts at Nariman Point on the Mumbai Coastal Road, linking to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and then to the Bandra-Versova Link, followed by the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. It extends to the Powai-Kanjurmarg Junction, continues along the Eastern Freeway Extension to the Chheda Nagar Junction, where it merges with the Eastern Express Freeway. The route then proceeds along the Eastern Express Freeway to the upcoming Orange Gate Tunnel, ultimately reconnecting with the Mumbai Coastal Road to complete the circuit.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road
Bandra-Versova link
Powai-Kanjurmarg Junction through JVLR (open to traffic)
Chheda Nagar Junction to Anand Nagar Eastern Freeway Extension
Orange Gate Tunnel to Mumbai Coastal Road to Nariman Point
Fifth Ring Road – Nariman Point-Bandra Worli Sea Link-Versova Dahisar Link Road-Bhayander-Fountain Hotel Connector-Gaimukh-Ghodbunder Tunnel-Thane Coastal Road-Anand Nagar-Saket Flyover-Eastern Freeway Extension-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The fifth Ring Road project aims to enhance Mumbai’s connectivity with a comprehensive route starting at Nariman Point along the Coastal Road. It extends to Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Versova-Bandra Sea Link, and continues to Ghodbunder Road, Gaimukh, and the Orange Gate Tunnel, ultimately improving accessibility for residents and commuters.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road
Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction
Length: 5.5 km
Jurisdiction: Public Works Department (PWD)
Current Lane Configuration: 2+2
Proposed expansion: 3+3 lane tunnel to ease congestion through the hilly terrain (post completion of the Thane Coastal Road)
Fountain Hotel Junction to Bhayander
A proposed 10-km elevated road will run parallel to Thane Creek, connecting Ghodbunder Road to Bhayander Jetty. This route will link directly to BMC’s Versova-Bhayander Road, completing the Ring Road system and ensuring seamless travel between the cities.
Anand Nagar to Saket
- Length: 8.24 km
- Undertaken by: MMRDA
- Cost: Rs 1,854 crore
- Status: Tender awarded, work to begin soon
Chheda Nagar Junction to Anand Nagar, extension of Eastern Freeway to Orange Gate Tunnel to Nariman Point
Sixth Outer Ring Road – Nariman Point-Versova Bandra Sea Link-Mira Bhayander Link Road-Alibaug Virar Corridor-Thane Coastal Road-Anand Nagar Saket Flyover-Eastern Express Highway-Eastern Freeway-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The sixth and extreme Outer Ring Road will revolutionize Mumbai’s transport network with a well-planned route for improved connectivity. Starting at Nariman Point along the Coastal Road, it extends through the Bandra-Worli and Versova-Bandra Sea Links, connecting to the Versova-Dahisar and Mira-Bhayander Link Roads. It then links to the Alibaug-Virar Corridor, Thane Coastal Road (Phase 1), and Eastern Freeway, completing the loop at the Orange Gate Tunnel, enhancing traffic flow and accessibility across the region.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road
Uttan Link Road (extension of Versova-Bhayander Link Road)
Alibaug-Virar Multi Modal Corridor (About 100 km long costing Rs 60,000 crore)
Thane Coastal Road Phase 1 (Kharegaon to Gaimukh)
Anand Saket Flyover to Chheda Nagar Junction to Anand Nagar, extension of Eastern Express Highway to Orange Gate Tunnel to Nariman Point
Seventh Outer Ring Road – Nariman Point-Versova Dahisar Bhayander Link Road-Uttan Link Road-Vadodara Mumbai Expressway-Alibaug Virar Multi Modal Corridor-Atal Setu via JNPT-Orange Gate Tunnel-Nariman Point
The seventh Outer Ring Road project aims to greatly improve Mumbai’s connectivity and transportation ease. Starting at Nariman Point along the Coastal Road, it extends to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and continues to the Versova-Bandra Sea Link. The route then connects to the Versova-Dahisar Link Road, Mira-Bhayander Link Road, and progresses through the Uttan Link Road to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway.
This route intersects the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor and connects to the MTHL Atal Setu via JNPT Road (NH-348). From the southern end of Atal Setu, it continues into the Orange Gate Tunnel on the Eastern Freeway, eventually looping back to Nariman Point along the Coastal Road.
Existing and upcoming roads
Mumbai Coastal Road
Uttan Link Road (extension of VBLR)
Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway (under-construction stage)
Alibaug-Virar Multi Modal Corridor
Atal Setu via JNPT Road (opened for traffic in January 2024)
From Atal Setu to Orange Gate Tunnel to Nariman Point
