6 Ways In Which Underground Metro Can Transform Mumbai

To build the underground metro and similar transportation projects, the Maharashtra state government formed a committee to draft the 'Right of way through private property' bill. The bill is expected to grant the government the subterranean and aerial rights through private property. If the bill is implemented, the state government will be able to acquire land, even if the land owners are against the move. The underground III project in Mumbai is expected to benefit from this bill, for which the government needs nearly 20,000 sq mt (two hectares) of land.

If the underground III becomes functional once the bill is passed, how would it influence real estate in Mumbai?

• Urban policy experts see underground infrastructure projects as the next phase of our rapidly urbanising world. They are essential for freeing up much space in India's congested cities. This is especially true of Mumbai.
• A major argument against raising the floor area ratio (FAR) in Mumbai is that its infrastructure is not adequately developed. For instance, if more people use the roads adjacent to the high density buildings near the city center, those roads would become more congested. But, with the underground metro and other forms of commuting under the ground, this scenario would change.
• Underground travel would reduce the commuting time in the city, and also share the peak rush with the Mumbai's local trains.
• Mumbai is one of the densest cities on earth that does not have much land. Underground travel will expand the supply of land in Mumbai.
• When it frees up more land, the cityscape of Mumbai will improve.
• An interesting example is Singapore, which faces similar constraints in increasing the supply of land. To get around such constraints, Singapore is “building up”, and “building underneath”. Mumbai, too, should “build up” and “build underneath”.