In a major move to ease commute times and enhance urban transport, eight locations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have been selected for the city’s first-ever cable car system. Announced under the Centre’s ‘Parvatmala’ scheme, the project is aimed at reducing commute times and easing transportation for citizens by offering a fast and efficient alternative to existing transport options.
Five Main Routes to Transform Connectivity
- Kandivli to Gorai (6 km)
Travel Time Reduction from 1 hour to 15 minutes
Key Stops: Kandivli West (Metro 2A), Global Vipassana Pagoda, and Gorai
- Mulund to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (12 km)
Travel Time Reduction from 90 minutes to 30 minutes
Connectivity to Kanheri Caves, making it ideal for tourists and pilgrims
- Bhayander to EsselWorld (9 km)
Travel Time Reduction from 40 minutes to 15 minutes
- Eksar Metro (Borivali) to EsselWorld/Gorai (5 km)
Travel Time Reduction from 1 hour to 10 minutes
- Ghatkopar to Ghansoli (5 km)
Travel Time Reduction from 1 hour to 10 minutes
Additional Routes:
- Nariman Point to Shivaji Memorial
- Neral to Matheran
- Dahisar to Pawne
The initiative is part of the National Ropeways Development Programme, which envisions the construction of 200 ropeway projects across India.
Project Details and Timeline
The cable car system, estimated to cost ₹1.25 lakh crore, will be implemented over the next five years through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasized the following requirements:
- Regulatory approvals and clearances
- Land acquisition and infrastructure development
- Feasibility studies, safety standards, and pilot testing
Why Ropeways?
Ropeway systems are recognized as innovative and cost-effective solutions for urban transport, especially in congested area. With a passenger capacity of up to 6,000 per hour and speeds of 30-40 km/hour, cable cars can significantly reduce commute times, alleviate traffic congestion, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted elevated travel.
According to Pratap Sarnaik, State Transport Minister, the cable car project is essential to enhancing MMR’s transportation system because of historic caves like Elephanta, hill stations like Matheran, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
