For lakhs of commuters travelling daily between Navi Mumbai and the fast-growing suburbs of Kalyan and Dombivli come end of 2026 the the Airoli–Katai Naka Corridor promises something increasingly rare in the MMR: a faster commute.

The 12.7-km corridor comprising elevated roads, bridges and twin tunnels through the Parsik Hills — is now nearing partial completion, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) announcing that its first two phases will open to traffic by the end of 2026.

The Airoli Katai Naka Corridor seeks to enhance connectivity in the far suburbs of the MMR, linking Navi Mumbai, Mumbra and Kalyan, improving travel between Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan–Dombivli, and Badlapur. Offering a time saving of 35 to 40 minutes, the project consists of bridges and tunnels through hills. The corridor will connect the Daiva-Shilphata Road, Katai Naka Junction and Katai Naka Badlapur Road.

The project seeks to ease congestion on some of the region’s worst choke points, particularly the Shilphata-Mumbra stretch, where commuters often spend over an hour crawling through traffic during peak periods. Officials estimate the corridor could reduce travel time by 35 to 40 minutes.

The corridor will directly connect Airoli in Navi Mumbai to Katai Naka near Kalyan via the Daiva-Shilphata Road and Kalyan-Shilphata Road, improving connectivity between Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Badlapur.

For Mumbai commuters, one of the most significant aspects of the project is its direct integration with the Mulund-Airoli bridge. The first operational leg a 2.57-km elevated stretch from Airoli to the Thane-Belapur Road — is already 100% complete. Once opened, it will serve as a faster gateway connecting Mumbai’s eastern suburbs to Navi Mumbai and beyond.

The second phase the engineering centrepiece of the project includes twin 1.69-km tunnels between the Thane-Belapur Road and Mumbra. The tunnels, drilled through the Parsik Hills using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), are part of a 3.43-km middle section that is now 92% complete. Structural works on this phase have been completed, according to MMRDA officials.

Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will open simultaneously by the end of next year.

Construction on the third and final phase a 6.71-km elevated corridor from Mumbra on NH-04 to Katai Naka on the Kalyan-Shilphata Road began late last year and is currently around 10% complete. This final stretch, which will also feature service roads beneath the viaduct, is targeted for completion by October 2028.

Total Project Length: 12.71 km
Configuration: 3+3 lane corridor
Travel Time Saving: 35–40 minutes

Airoli → Mumbra → Kalyan → Badlapur

Will connect:

* Daiva-Shilphata Road
* Katai Naka Junction
* Kalyan-Shilphata Road

* Length: 2.57 km
* Elevated road linked to Mulund-Airoli bridge
* 3-lane up and down ramps
* Status: 100% complete
* Opening: End of 2026

* Length: 3.43 km
* Includes twin Parsik Hill tunnels
* Tunnel Length: 1.64 km
* Built using NATM tunnelling method
* Status: 92% complete
* Opening: End of 2026

* Length: 6.71 km
* Elevated corridor with 2+2 service roads
* Connects NH-04 to Kalyan-Shilphata Road
* Status: 10% complete
* Completion Target: October 2028

The corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Badlapur while easing congestion on existing routes.