Mumbai Metropolitan Region (ISO: Muṁbaī Mahānagara Pradēśa; abbreviated to MMR and previously also known as Greater Bombay Metropolitan Area), is a metropolitan area consisting of Mumbai and its satellite towns on Salsette Island and in adjacent mainland areas in the northern Konkan division of Maharashtra in western India. The region has an area of 6,328 square kilometres (2,443 sq mi) and with a population of over 26 million it is among the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.
Developing over a period of about 20 years, it consists of nine municipal corporations and eight smaller municipal councils. The entire area is overseen by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), a state-owned organisation in charge of town planning, development, transportation and housing in the region.
The MMRDA was formed to address challenges in planning and development of integrated infrastructure for the metropolitan region. The areas outside Brihanmumbai (Greater Mumbai) and Navi Mumbai have lacked organised development. Navi Mumbai, developed as one of the largest planned cities in the world, was promoted by a state government-owned company, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
The region has had problems related to haphazard and illegal development as a result of rapid urbanisation. Villages along the NH 3 in Bhiwandi are examples of haphazard developments in the MMR, with some of the largest warehousing areas in India. Government agencies such as the Town Planner and Collector of Thane have had challenges in addressing unorganised development.
Contents
Districts
Mumbai City (complete)
Mumbai Suburban (complete)
Thane (partial)
Raigad (partial)
Palghar (partial)
Transport
Being one of the largest cities in India since and a regional center during the colonial period, Mumbai has an extensive transport network consisting of railways, buses, a rapidly expanding metro system, the only monorail line in India as well as a former tramway system that was discontinued in 1964. Taxis dominate the Mumbai City District, while auto-rickshaws are prevalent in the rest of the metropolitan region.
Railway
The first passenger train in India from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Bori Bunder railway station) in Mumbai to Thane ran on 16 April 1853 on the track laid by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The Mumbai Suburban Railway serves the region, being operated by the Western Railways and the Central Railways. The Suburban Railway, colloquially called "Local trains" or simply "Locals" is the busiest suburban railway system in India as well as one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the world, with an annual ridership of 2.64 billion.
Metro
Mumbai Metropolitan Region has 3 metro systems covering the region. 2 of these, Mumbai Metro and Navi Mumbai Metro are operational, while the Thane Metro system is under construction. Mumbai Metro will serve all municipal corporations, while Navi Mumbai Metro and Thane Metro exist primarily to serve their respective cities. Mumbai Metro has an operational length of 90.95 km (56.51 mi) while Navi Mumbai Metro has an operational length of 11.10 km (6.90 mi). In addition, Mumbai Metro has several new lines and extensions under construction totalling to 132.45 km (82.30 mi). Thane Metro has a proposed length of 29 km (18 mi).
Mumbai is also home to Mumbai Monorail, the only monorail system in the country, which serves the eastern localities of Mumbai City district.
Air
The region has two airports, one located in Greater Mumbai called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the other, Navi Mumbai International Airport is located in Navi Mumbai. There is also one aerodrome known as the Juhu Aerodrome, which is only used for general aviation.
Bus
BEST (Mumbai)
KDMT (Kalyan-Dombivli)
MBMT (Mira-Bhayandar)
NMMT (Navi Mumbai)
TMT (Thane)
VVMT (Vasai-Virar)