The Maharashtra transit network task force will develop a comprehensive framework for expanding and integrating railway networks, metro corridors and Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and other urban areas.
The state government has issued a Government Resolution (GR) establishing the high-level panel under its Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. The task force must submit its strategic recommendations and report within six months.
The decision follows a high-level meeting held on October 7 under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development-1).
The initiative aims to improve coordination between transport agencies and assess which transit systems are best suited to different regions based on feasibility, suitability and economic viability.
Maharashtra Transit Network Task Force Gets Six-Month Deadline
The task force will formulate policy recommendations and coordination measures to support seamless integration across public transport networks.
Its mandate covers assessing railway network expansion, implementing metro corridors, developing RRTS and connecting major cities through semi-high-speed rail services.
The panel will be chaired by the Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). MRVC’s Chief Manager (Planning) will serve as member secretary.
Other members include representatives from the Urban Development Department, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
Planning department heads from several regional development bodies will participate as invitees. These include CIDCO, 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.
The chairperson may invite additional members when required for deliberations.
Mumbai Suburban Railway and Metro Expansion in Focus
Mumbai’s existing transport system combines suburban rail services, metro corridors and feeder transport networks. The task force will examine how these systems can be expanded and better integrated to serve commuters across the wider metropolitan region.
The suburban railway network spans more than 435 km and carries approximately 7.5 million passengers daily. Its main corridors are the Western, Central and Harbour lines, connecting South Mumbai with the suburbs and neighbouring districts.
Capacity upgrades, station improvements and rolling stock modernisation are ongoing across the network, which is managed by Central Railway, Western Railway and agencies including MRVC.
Mumbai’s operational metro network has also expanded substantially, reaching approximately 80 km across key corridors. Operational routes include Line 1 between Versova and Ghatkopar, Line 2A between Dahisar East and Andheri West, Line 7 between Dahisar East and Gundavali, and Line 3, the underground Aqua Line.
Metro ridership has exceeded 1.6 million passengers daily, providing additional east-west and north-south connections across the city.
More Metro Corridors and Regional Connectivity Planned
More than 120 km of additional metro routes are in various stages of construction or approval. These include Lines 2B, 4 and 4A, 5 and 6, along with extensions such as Lines 9 and 12.
The planned corridors are intended to improve connectivity across areas including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and Mira-Bhayander.
Bus services operated by BEST, TMT, KDMT and NMMT also provide important connections to railway and metro stations. Mumbai’s monorail serves selected parts of the city, although integration and service reliability have faced challenges.
The task force’s recommendations will help shape the state’s longer-term approach to transport planning, with the aim of matching infrastructure choices to regional needs and improving coordination among agencies.
Its report, due within six months, will set out proposed policy and planning measures for developing a more integrated transit network under Viksit Maharashtra 2047.
