Fadnavis Says Mumbai’s Traffic Discipline Beats Delhi’s, Highlights Ongoing Infrastructure Projects to Decongest the City

Mumbai | January 8, 2026 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a striking statement on Thursday regarding the traffic situation in Mumbai compared to Delhi, calling the residents of India’s financial capital more “disciplined” in following traffic rules. Speaking at the AajTak Mumbai Manthan, Fadnavis said that while both cities face heavy traffic daily, Mumbai’s commuters are less likely to jump lanes or break signals, resulting in comparatively smoother movement on its roads. “I can say with certainty that Mumbai’s traffic is way better than Delhi’s. People show discipline and dedication to traffic rules while commuting,” Fadnavis said, stressing the role of citizen behaviour in overall traffic management. Fadnavis also highlighted the government’s efforts to further ease congestion under the current Mahayuti alliance. He noted that almost 200 km of Mumbai’s planned 475-km metro network has already been completed, with the remaining sections expected to be operational within the next two years. The Chief Minister spoke in detail about Mumbai’s first underground metro line, the Aqua Line, which connects several key city areas. Evaluations of traffic before and after the Aqua Line’s completion showed a 30 per cent reduction in congestion along that route. Beyond metro expansion, Fadnavis outlined other measures to improve public transport. He mentioned the development of feeder routes using electric buses to complement the metro network. Citizens will soon be able to plan an entire journey across the city using an integrated app that allows seamless travel on metro trains, local trains, monorail, and buses using a single ticket. Fadnavis also shared plans for a coastal route that aims to decongest 80 per cent of Mumbai’s traffic, work on which has already begun. The government is simultaneously upgrading local train compartments, often described as Mumbai’s lifeline, to make daily commutes more comfortable and efficient for millions of residents. According to Fadnavis, these initiatives are not just plans on paper; multiple projects have already started, and some are complete, reflecting the government’s commitment to decongesting the city. He emphasized that a combination of disciplined commuters and ongoing infrastructure improvements is key to transforming Mumbai’s traffic landscape. Mumbai, despite its reputation as India’s financial capital, has long struggled with severe traffic congestion. Residents often face long commutes even for short distances, leading to frustration and delays. The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid public debates comparing traffic conditions in Mumbai and Delhi, with Fadnavis asserting that Mumbai’s better adherence to rules gives it an edge. Fadnavis’ address at the Mumbai Manthan also highlighted the government’s focus on sustainable urban transport. By combining metro expansion, feeder bus networks, integrated ticketing, and upgrades to local trains, the city aims to encourage more residents to use public transport, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and improve overall commuting efficiency. With these multi-pronged efforts, Maharashtra’s government is positioning Mumbai as a model for disciplined traffic management and infrastructure-driven decongestion. Officials said that as new metro lines and coastal routes become operational, the benefits will be visible across the city, reducing travel times, easing congestion, and enhancing the daily experience for millions of commuters. Fadnavis concluded by emphasizing that citizen cooperation and strict adherence to traffic rules, combined with smart urban planning and efficient transport solutions, are the foundation of a safer, faster, and more disciplined Mumbai road network. The government hopes these ongoing projects will transform commuting in the financial capital in the years to come. Fadnavis Says Mumbai’s Traffic Discipline Beats Delhi’s, Highlights Ongoing Infrastructure Projects to Decongest the City Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Mumbai’s traffic is better than Delhi’s because residents are more disciplined. Speaking at AajTak’s Mumbai Manthan, he highlighted that Mumbaikars follow traffic rules, avoid lane-jumping, and do not break signals, making the city’s roads comparatively smoother despite heavy congestion. Fadnavis also spoke about the government’s efforts to decongest the city. He said nearly 200 km of Mumbai’s 475-km metro network has already been completed, with the rest expected to be ready in the next two years. The city’s first underground metro line, the Aqua Line, has already reduced traffic by 30 per cent along its route. Other initiatives include feeder routes with electric buses and an integrated app that allows commuters to plan trips across metro, monorail, local trains, and buses using a single ticket. A new coastal route is under construction, aiming to ease 80 per cent of traffic, while local train compartments are being upgraded to make daily commutes more comfortable. Fadnavis said these projects are already underway and will significantly improve Mumbai’s traffic over time. He emphasized that disciplined citizens, combined with smart infrastructure planning, are key to transforming commuting in India’s financial capital.