Commute made easy: Mumbai is all set to launch its first underground metro, Aqua Line 3, in October

The Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line 3, connecting Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), was revealed on Tuesday. This line is anticipated to be operational by October 4, 2024. During his visit to Mumbai next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to partially inaugurate the Metro 3 project, the city’s first underground metro. This landmark occasion will mark the start of the Aqua Line’s first phase, which includes a 12-kilometer section from Aarey Colony to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with ten operational stops. 

Mumbai’s First Underground Metro

Metro Line 3 will be Mumbai’s first entirely underground metro line, connecting major corporate areas such as Nariman Point, Lower Parel, and SEEPZ. It will additionally boost access to educational, medical, and recreational facilities around the city.

Metro schedule

Bhide, Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), stated that they have planned 96 daily runs between Aarey and BKC, with eight trains in their fleet, from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm, with the exception of Sunday, when the first service will be at 8.30 am.

Metro Fare

She stated that the minimum cost of the ticket on the new metro line will be Rs 10, ranging to Rs 50, and the maximum fare will be Rs 70 once the entire Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey corridor is operational. Initially, travelers will be given paper tickets with a QR code, and NCMC cards will be activated progressively, making the process easier for travellers.

Metro’s Speed

The designed speed of Metro trains with eight coaches running on the line is 85 kmph, with an average running speed of 35 km/h.

According to Bhide, the train operation would be led by 48 captains, ten of whom are women. After the line is commissioned, many women will work on its operation and maintenance.

Major stations and connectivity

Phase one of Aqua Line 3, which runs from Aarey to BKC, incorporates 10 stations. It provides direct access to both Terminals 1 and 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The line also links with the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro Line 1 at Marol Naka station, expanding options for public transportation. During peak hours, trains will run every 6.5 minutes.

Project Cost and Passenger Capacity

Aqua Line 3 is estimated to cost ₹37,725 crore and assist 1.7 million people daily. The metro trains, which have eight coaches, are designed to accommodate around 2,400 passengers in a combination of seated and standing layouts.

Metro’s development

Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRC, said that 93% of the Aqua metro line’s work has been completed. Before the line can be entirely commissioned, it needs to get full clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). The entire line connecting Colaba and Aarey is planned to be operational by March or May 2025.

Benefits of Underground Metro

The choice to build Metro Line 3 underground was influenced by Mumbai’s distinctive urban topography and space constraints. “Globally, core city areas are often connected by underground metros to avoid disturbing ground-level activities,” Bhide informed. Because of Mumbai’s high population and limited road space, elevated tracks were not a practical choice, specifically in the historic and heavily commercial regions of South Mumbai. Furthermore, the proximity to the airport required the line to avoid air funnels and flight routes, necessitating an underground solution.

The metro line would improve connections for daily travelers by providing access to both domestic and international airports. Once fully operational, it will connect Mumbai’s southern, central, and western regions.