While some faced minor issues with digital payments, the overall reception was highly positive. (Image: File)
Mumbai's much-anticipated Metro Line 3, the Aqua Line, opened its full 33.5-km underground stretch to the public, and the first-day reviews are in. Commuters praised the service for being fast and convenient, hinting at a new way of traveling in the city.
The fully operational Aqua Line connects Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai to Aarey in the western suburbs, marking the city's first entirely underground metro corridor. The first trains began running at 5:55 AM on Thursday, creating an easy north-south route that skips the city’s traffic and connects directly to key areas such as Nariman Point and Churchgate.
Most passengers highlighted one major advantage — the drastic cut in travel time. Abdul Kadam, who commuted from Churchgate to Nariman Point, summed it up neatly: “For me, it’s faster than a cab and more convenient than the bus, even if it costs slightly more.” For many daily travelers, the metro has replaced the hassle of switching between trains and cabs, reducing overall commute time significantly.
The efficiency of the new line was a common theme. Akshay Jain from Andheri East shared a typical experience, noting, “Now I can reach my office in Nariman Point in 35 to 40 minutes. Earlier, I had to take the local train to Churchgate and then either walk or take a cab." The sharp drop in commute time came as a welcome change for daily travelers used to hours on the road.
While the launch was largely successful, some passengers faced technical teething troubles. A common complaint was the lack of digital connectivity inside stations. Rajesh Chowdhury reported, “There was no mobile network or Wi-Fi... I couldn’t make a UPI payment and had to buy my ticket with cash." Some riders were confused because they thought the official "Mumbai One" app was slow or lacking.
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Online, the excitement was palpable. On X, one user referred to it as a "engineering masterpiece," while another, who made the 40-minute journey from Marol Naka to Girgaon, dubbed the trip "unbelievable." People were so excited about the project that one person even said it "deserves a whole Netflix documentary" because of its scope and the energy it has brought to the city.
