BMC Approves Rs 702 Crore Subway Linking Science Centre Metro to Worli Promenade
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Standing Committee has approved a Rs 702.44 crore outlay for an underground pedestrian vestibule linking the Science Centre Metro Station and Mahalaxmi Racecourse area with the Coastal Road and Worli Promenade, despite intense opposition from non-ruling parties.
During the committee meeting on Thursday, corporators from the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena strongly objected to the civic body funding a project that is being executed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. However, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance passed the proposal by a majority vote.
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi demanded that the proposal be referred back to the administration, citing the BMC's stretched financial position. Azmi stated that during the four-year period of administrative rule, projects valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore were initiated, leaving approximately Rs 8,000 crore pending in contractor payments for completed works. He added that another Rs 28,000 crore will be required over the next eight years to sustain ongoing projects.
Azmi argued that the BMC's revenue was insufficient to absorb the entire expenditure and questioned why the civic body was paying for an MMRCL-executed project. He also highlighted that the state government has yet to disburse a Rs 10,000-crore grant, even though work on several projects has already begun.
Other opposition members raised procedural and financial concerns. Congress corporator Ajanta Yadav pointed out that work had commenced before the proposal was formally presented to the committee. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Shraddha Jadhav opposed using BMC funds for the scheme, while MNS group leader Yashwant Killedar questioned the rationale behind the civic body bearing the cost rather than opposing the infrastructure itself.
The approved project involves a 1.518-kilometre underground pedestrian passage connecting the Aqua Metro Line's Science Centre Metro Station to the 175-acre Coastal Road Garden and promenade. The tunnel will run beneath the Racecourse land handed over to the BMC, passing under the racetrack and the planned public park without disturbing surface activities.
Designed with a 7.5-metre pedestrian width and six entry and exit points, the passage falls under Transit-Oriented Development Clause 33(23) of DCPR 2024. The construction costs are slated to be recovered through TOD incentive floor space index premiums.
The vestibule aims to improve pedestrian access to the National Sports Club of India, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, the Coastal Road Garden, a planned theme park, Mahalaxmi Temple, and Haji Ali Dargah. A proposed 1,100-vehicle car and bus parking facility at Haji Ali will also link with the subway, allowing motorists to park and access the Metro network.
