India, Aug. 20 -- In a big boost for transport infrastructure in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the state government on Tuesday approved a 16-km underground metro rail connection between Wadala and the Gateway of India and a 25-km elevated road from Thane to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure also approved the procurement of 268 airconditioned rakes for the Mumbai suburban section, the laying of two additional railway lines between Lonavala and Pune and the construction of a ring road and a new township in Nagpur.

"These decisions will provide a modern transportation system and a new direction and momentum for development of cities like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Nag...