Mumbai Metro Plans Longest Pedestrian Links Yet To Transform Access At BKC, Worli

Mumbai’s Metro Line 3 is set to get a major push in last-mile connectivity as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) moves ahead with plans to build new underground pedestrian subways at the BKC

and Science Centre stations. These walkways are meant to give commuters a safe, direct and signal-free path to key destinations around both stations, reducing the chaos of crossing busy roads and easing surface-level congestion.

According to the tender document accessed by News18, the areas around Science Centre and BKC have grown rapidly, bringing heavy traffic, narrow footpaths and constant conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. MMRCL notes that with daily footfall rising, the need for grade-separated access has become urgent. The new underground corridors aim to address this gap by offering smoother, safer and quicker access to surrounding neighbourhoods.

The development plan includes three major underground connections. From Science Centre, one of the proposed tunnels will extend roughly 1.1 km to the Worli Promenade, passing through the Mahalakshmi Racecourse zone. Another connection from the same station will stretch about 500 metres to the Nehru Planetarium, again through the Racecourse area. At BKC, the proposed subway is planned to be the longest: a nearly 1.4-km underground link connecting the metro station to the BKC High Speed Rail Terminal via Tata Colony. Together, these new access routes add up to about 3 km of pedestrian-friendly movement, significantly expanding walkable connectivity around both hubs.

But the project is not limited to digging tunnels. The tender also highlights a wide list of improvements—better footpaths, smoother station entry and exit points, landscaped areas, upgraded lighting, cleaned drainage lines, ventilation systems and strong waterproofing to keep the passages safe during monsoon. Architectural finishing, safety systems, wayfinding signages and coordinated utility shifting are also part of the plan. MMRCL has stressed that public convenience must remain a priority, especially since these works will be carried out in dense traffic zones.

The corporation adds that it has already prepared detailed project reports for additional direct underground links from both stations to nearby properties, indicating that more connectivity enhancements may follow.

Once completed, the new pedestrian corridors at BKC and Science Centre are expected to transform how commuters enter and exit these stations. By reducing walking time, cutting conflicts with traffic and offering a cleaner, safer path for daily movement, the project aims to create a more comfortable and predictable travel experience for thousands across Mumbai.