MMRDA, in partnership with the JICA, has unveiled the Mumbai Transport Stack (MTS), a next-generation, data-driven platform set to transform urban mobility. The initiative will integrate all transport modes into a seamless, affordable, and future-ready network for citizens. Meanwhile, Mumbai Metro Line 2B achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of massive U-girders over Halav Bridge.

Introduction:

Mumbai has taken a decisive step toward transforming its urban mobility landscape with the launch of the Mumbai Transport Stack (MTS), an open data exchange platform designed to unify the city’s vast and complex transport network. At the same time, infrastructure progress continues on the ground, as Metro Line 2B achieved a crucial engineering milestone in Kurla.

Together, these developments signal a new chapter in Mumbai’s transport evolution — one powered by digital public infrastructure and strengthened by rapid Metro expansion.

What is the Mumbai Transport Stack?:

The Mumbai Transport Stack (MTS) is a digital public infrastructure built on open Standard Data Exchange Protocols and the globally recognized Mobility as a Service (MaaS) framework. The goal is simple yet transformative: ensure that every mode of transport — Metro, bus, suburban rail and more — communicates seamlessly within a unified, interoperable ecosystem.

The initiative is being led by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with technical support from JICA Dx Lab, known for enabling open, data-driven transport systems globally.

Under the leadership of Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, Smt Rubal Agarwal, IAS, Managing Director of Maha Mumbai Metro, and Shri Ajinkya Padwal, Deputy Metropolitan Commissioner, consultations were held with senior JICA officials including Mr Yamada Tomoyuki and Ms Naemura Maliko to formally kickstart the project.

Five Core Principles of MTS:

The Mumbai Transport Stack is being built on five foundational pillars:

What This Means for Citizens:

The practical impact of the Mumbai Transport Stack will be visible in everyday commuting experiences.

Key Benefits:

Beyond commuter convenience, the platform will enable smarter urban planning using real-time mobility data and provide open APIs for innovators and startups to build new transport solutions.

This is not merely a technological upgrade — it represents Mumbai’s commitment to building an intelligent, unified mobility network that keeps pace with its growing population and economic dynamism.

Metro Line 2B Marks Critical Milestone:

While digital integration takes shape, physical infrastructure is advancing rapidly.

In a major breakthrough for Mumbai Metro Line 2B, two 20-metre-long U-girders were successfully launched over the Halav Bridge in Kurla at approximately 4 a.m. on February 21. The complex operation used 500 MT capacity cranes and marked a key step in completing the viaduct along this critical stretch.

Metro Line 2B serves as a vital east–west connector from DN Nagar to Mandale. The corridor passes through BKC Road, crosses the Mithi River, runs along the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road, crosses Halav Bridge, and continues toward Kurla (West).

Engineering Under Tight Constraints:

The alignment near Halav Bridge lies within the airport funnel zone, which imposes strict height restrictions. With only 3.5 metres of permissible vertical clearance between the Metro viaduct and the bridge, the girder launch was a precision-driven operation executed post-midnight to minimize traffic disruption.

Approvals were secured in advance to ensure safety compliance. Light motor vehicles and ambulances will continue to use the Halav Bridge, while alternative routes have been arranged for heavy vehicles.

Due to funnel height restrictions, the nearby S.G. Barve Marg Metro Station is being constructed as a single-level station, with both platform and concourse at the same level — a design adaptation demonstrating engineering flexibility. Foundations and piers for the station, along with adjacent viaduct sections, are already complete.

Community Coordination and Road Expansion:

The project has also incorporated local feedback. Following consultations with residents and elected representatives, widening of A.H. Wadia Road is being prioritized in coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The successful girder launch reflects coordination between multiple agencies and the cooperation of citizens — an essential component of large-scale urban infrastructure projects.

A Unified Vision for the Future:

The launch of the Mumbai Transport Stack alongside tangible Metro progress illustrates a dual-track transformation — digital integration and physical expansion working in tandem.

Mumbai is not only building new Metro corridors but also creating the digital backbone that will connect every bus, train and Metro line into a cohesive system.

Conclusion:

Mumbai’s mobility future is taking shape through innovation above and below ground. With the Mumbai Transport Stack driving digital integration and Metro Line 2B advancing infrastructure connectivity, the city is laying the foundation for smarter planning, seamless commuting, and a truly unified transport ecosystem built for generations to come.

Source: MMRDA | Image Credit: MMRDA

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