A first-of-its-kind mobility initiative has been introduced in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where a weekly Public Transport Day will now be observed every Friday. The programme has been designed to encourage nearly 200,000 professionals working in the business district to commute using trains, metro services and buses instead of relying on private vehicles.
The initiative is being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in collaboration with BEST, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, the Traffic Police, auto-rickshaw unions and WRI India. Support for the programme has already been received from around 90 companies and organisations operating within BKC.
The decision follows surveys and consultations which revealed that a large majority of commuters would be willing to switch to public transport if services became more reliable, convenient and better connected. Despite the launch of Metro Line 3 through BKC, road congestion continues to remain a significant challenge, with more than half of commuters still depending on private vehicles, taxis and auto-rickshaws for daily travel.
Last-mile connectivity has emerged as one of the biggest concerns. Difficulties in accessing offices from metro stations, limited feeder bus frequency and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure have been identified as major barriers to public transport adoption. To address these issues, authorities are considering measures such as improved bus operations, dedicated turning facilities for buses, better walking corridors and enhanced pedestrian comfort through shaded pathways.
The initiative will be closely monitored over the next three to four months, with regular assessments being conducted to identify bottlenecks and introduce corrective measures. Incentives such as employee recognition programmes and reimbursement of public transport expenses are also being explored.
If successful, the programme could serve as a model for other commercial hubs across India, demonstrating how coordinated efforts between public agencies, transport operators and private companies can help create more sustainable and efficient urban mobility systems.