The total length of roads in the state of Maharashtra is 2, 29, 302 km of which 2, 00, 430 are surfaced roads. Mumbai is linked to all the important cities and towns with the National Highways (10088 in number). The international motoring associations provide a carnet to the foreign tourists who are interested to bring their cars to India. For this it is very important to insure the cars which are not allowed to stay in the country for more than six months.
National Highways 3, 4,6,8,9 and 17 connect Mumbai with the rest of the country. The driving time may vary with the quality of roads; travelling from Pune to Mumbai takes approximately 3 hours. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation with its fleet of 15, 500 buses and a total of 19, 000 routes covers an area of 1.2 million km in the state. Other than this a local flavour in travelling can be tasted with non private taxis, auto rickshaws and intra city buses. The local buses run by the Bombay Electric Supply and Transportation Undertaking, or the BEST, carry a total of 4.2 million passengers.
The Western Freeway project, envisions reducing traffic-congestion between the Western Suburbs and the main city of Mumbai by constructing multiple bridges over the Arabian Sea. This freeway would connect Marine Drive in South Mumbai to Kandivli in the north. Known as the 'Bandra-Worli Sea Link'(1st Phase), was completed in June 2009. This sea-link through a cable stayed bridge spanning the Mahim Bay has reduced travel time from 45-60 minutes to 7 minutes. Work on the 2nd Phase is yet to begin. 'Bandra-Versova Sea Link' (BVSL) is another proposed sea link that would connect Bandra with Versova.
The Eastern Freeway project aims at reducing travel time between South Mumbai and the Eastern Suburbs. Work on the first stretch from Panjarpol to Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR), was completed in January 2014. The Anik-Panjarpol link road, the second segment, has Mumbai's first twin tunnel. This was opened for traffic in April 2014.
There is another proposed roadway called the 'Coastal Freeway' which would serve as an alternative to the Western Freeway stretching from Manora MLA Hostel at Nariman Point to Kandivali.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation also provides luxury coach services connecting Mumbai with some major cities of Maharashtra and other adjoining states. The buses are available from the cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Goa, Indore, Pune and Surat. The main bus terminal is near the Central Station in Mumbai.
The Western India Automobile Association is a 500 member strong association of Englishmen. It provides car booking services, in Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh thus promoting tourism in the country. The rates for which are as follows: (terms and conditions applied)
WIAA is the only authorized organization to issue International Driving Permit (IDP) in India.
Terms And Conditions Applied |
Type of Vehicle | Local Use 8 hrs/80 kms. | Extra Per Km. | Extra Per Hr. | Airport Transfer Return 4 Hrs/55Kms. | Driver's Outstation Allowance |
M.Esteem/T.Indigo | 1400 | 14 | 75 | 800 | 200 |
Ford Icon | 1500 | 15 | 85 | 900 | 200 |
Baleno/Opel | 1600 | 16 | 100 | 1000 | 200 |
Lancer / H.City | 2000 | 20 | 125 | 1200 | 200 |
Skoda/Sonata | 3000 | 30 | 300 | 2000 | 300 |
H.Accord/T.Camry | 5000 | 50 | 500 | 3000 | 300 |
Mercedes 'E' Class | 7500 | 75 | 700 | 4500 | 500 |
Scorpio/Qualis Non A/C | 1200 | 8 | 65 | 1200 | 200 |
A/C Toyota | 1600 | 10 | 75 | 1500 | 200 |
Innova A/C | 2000 | 14 | 100 | 1800 | 200 |
Last Updated on : February 21, 2023