The Maharashtra government plans to introduce six high-speed magnetic levitation (Maglev) train routes for Mumbai in its bid to provide connectivity between the proposed airport at Panvel in Navi Mumbai and SEZs in the city.

The project which is a part of first phase of Maglev plan includes six routes -  new proposed airport at Panvel to Khopoli (30 km), to Alibag (60 km), to Santacruz airport (45 km), and Santacruz airport to Nariman Point (18 km), to Goregaon (15 km) and to Kalyan (50 km). The second phase is a passenger-cum-freight corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur, via Nanded, a distance of about 900 km.

In Maglev technology, powerful magnets lift the train 10 mm above the track which is called a guideway. Other magnets help in maintaining power speed and braking. The electromagnets that power the train consume much lesser energy than an aircraft and these trains run at a speed of 300-350 km/hr.

German-based Vossing is working on the feasibility report for these routes which is likely to be completed by February 2009. The government will decide the project cost once the feasibility report is submitted.