The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is planning a network of underground pedestrian tunnels to improve connectivity between key locations and Metro stations. These tunnels will link the Worli promenade, Nehru Planetarium, and several office buildings in Bandra Kurla Complex to the Metro network.
The proposed underground infrastructure will be nearly 3 kilometres long. It will include subways and vestibules that connect the Science Center and BKC Metro stations to nearby buildings. The Aqua Line has invited design and project management consultants for this work.
Two major pedestrian tunnels are planned from the Science Center Metro station. One will be a 500-metre underground connection to Nehru Planetarium. The other will be a 1.1-kilometre tunnel that will connect to the Worli promenade. This route will pass through the Mahalaxmi Racecourse area.
Another underground connection is planned from the BKC Metro station. This tunnel will be around 1.4 kilometres long and will link the station to the upcoming rail terminal near Diamond Bourse. MMRCL has also made a project report for these underground access connections.
At the same time, Transit-Oriented Development rules are being introduced in areas below Metro stations that can see heavy passenger movement. Under these rules, developers can get up to 100 percent Floor Space Index on their plots. In return, they would pay a premium, which would be equal to half of the ready reckoner rate.