Mumbai’s Rs 1,481 Crore Transport Hub Tender Unveiled

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a tender worth Rs 1,481 crore for the construction of a state-of-the-art transportation and commercial hub at the Dahisar octroi naka site. This ambitious project aims to streamline Mumbai’s transport network and alleviate the persistent traffic congestion plaguing the city.

The proposed hub, to be developed on an expansive 18,604 square metre plot, will be designed to accommodate approximately 450 interstate buses and 1,400 cars. It is envisaged as a multifunctional space incorporating recreational and retail areas, banquet halls, luxury hotels, and facilities for app-based cabs and taxis. This strategic development aligns with the BMC’s objective to integrate intercity and interstate bus services with Mumbai’s existing transport infrastructure, including BEST buses and the Metro. The genesis of this project follows the abolition of octroi taxes in 2017, which released valuable municipal land previously allocated for octroi collection.

The Dahisar hub is strategically positioned along the Western Express Highway, providing a vital connection to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway and the Pandurangwadi Interchange Metro Station (Lines 9 and 10). The hub is anticipated to serve a critical role in managing traffic from states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other northern regions. The BMC’s decision is rooted in a comprehensive traffic survey conducted across the city’s five toll nakas, highlighting the congestion caused by interstate buses parking on internal roads. The new hub is expected to alleviate this issue by offering a dedicated terminus, thereby minimising the need for these buses to enter the city centre.

In addition to its transport functionalities, the hub will also generate revenue through the development of commercial and office spaces, ensuring financial viability and sustainability. The BMC is considering supplementary transport options, such as smaller buses or vehicles, to facilitate passenger transfers from the hub to various city destinations. Local activists have expressed support for the initiative, acknowledging its potential to ease city-wide traffic congestion. Furthermore, the BMC’s decision to retain the Dahisar and Mankhurd octroi naka lands for civic projects, rather than transferring them to the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority, underscores its commitment to addressing urban transport challenges.