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A high-level Austrian delegation visited Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in Mumbai, with a key highlight being their visit to the Atal Setu.

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, toured the Atal Setu and appreciated the scale, engineering quality, and emergency preparedness systems in place. A surprise check of emergency services on the bridge was also conducted, which received positive feedback from the visiting delegation, an official statement said.

The visit underlined the importance of world-class infrastructure in strengthening global partnerships.

Strategic talks at MMRDA

The delegation was hosted by the MMRDA at its office in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

The meeting focused on collaboration in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainable urban development.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addressed the delegation virtually, inviting Austrian institutions and companies to invest and collaborate in Maharashtra’s growth journey. He emphasised the state’s ambition to become a USD 1 trillion economy.

Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra is committed to strengthening global partnerships to support infrastructure-led growth and sustainable development. Austria’s expertise in engineering, innovation and technology presents strong opportunities for collaboration. We welcome Austrian participation in shaping the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and look forward to a constructive partnership. I am confident that this engagement will evolve into a strong and enduring partnership anchored in infrastructure, technology, investment and sustainable urban development.”

Austria submits LoI

A major outcome of the visit was Austria handing over a Letter of Intent (LoI) to MMRDA, outlining plans for cooperation in key sectors, including-

– Tunnelling and underground infrastructure

– Technology transfer and innovation

– Academic and institutional partnerships

– Industrial and economic cooperation and 

– Tourism development

The LoI reflects Austria’s interest in establishing long-term engagement with Mumbai’s infrastructure ecosystem.

Focus on infra and global collaboration

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Maharashtra is emerging as a preferred destination for global partnerships, with MMRDA playing a central role in driving large-scale infrastructure projects.

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee highlighted increasing global interest in Mumbai following international outreach efforts, noting that such collaborations would boost innovation, mobility systems, and skill development.

Mukherjee said, “MMRDA is witnessing growing interest from global partners who recognise the scale and significance of infrastructure development underway in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Following the strong response received at Davos, we are seeing increasing engagement from countries and institutions keen to collaborate with us.”