PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 2B of Mumbai Metro Line-3, running from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, constructed at a cost of ₹12,200 crore. With this, the full 33.5 km underground corridor, also called the Aqua Line, is now ready.
He dedicated the entire ₹37,270 crore Metro Line-3 to the nation as a major urban transport thrust. The final 10.99 km stretch opened on Thursday, completing the route between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR.
The first trains departed from both ends at 5:55 am. MMRC officials confirmed the line is now fully operational.
📢 Mumbai Metro Schedule Update:
🗓️Effective 15th Sept 2025 (Monday)
🚉 First train departs at 05.55 hrs from Terminal Stations i.e., Aarey JVLR & Acharya Atre Chowk (Earlier:06.30 am)
➡️Last train continues to depart at 22:30 hrs
Travel efficiently. Stay punctual.📢 मेट्रो… pic.twitter.com/4vZX4BA9Ab
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) September 14, 2025
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Route, Stations & Connectivity
The Aqua Line has 27 stations, covering key business, heritage, residential, and airport areas. Here is the station list from south to north:
- Cuffe Parade
- Vidhan Bhavan
- Churchgate
- Hutatma Chowk (Fort)
- CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus)
- Kalbadevi
- Girgaon
- Grant Road
- Mumbai Central
- Mahalaxmi
- Science Museum (Worli)
- Worli
- Siddhivinayak
- Dadar
- Shitaladevi Temple
- Dharavi
- Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)
- Vidyanagari
- Santacruz
- CSIA Domestic Airport (T1)
- CSIA International Airport (T2)
- Marol Naka
- MIDC
- SEEPZ
- Marol
- Aarey Colony
- Aarey Depot (JVLR terminus)
This line connects airports, downtown areas, financial districts, and residential hubs, offering seamless travel across the city core.
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The Metro links with other lines and rail systems:
- Central Railway at CSMT
- Western Railway at Mumbai Central and Churchgate
It also brings airport access to southern Mumbai — travellers can now reach CSIA (T1 & T2) via metro, easing congestion and travel stress.
Fares & Travel Time
The fare structure is simple and distance-based:
- Up to 3 km: ₹10
- 3–12 km: ₹20
- 12–18 km: ₹30
- 18–24 km: ₹40
- 24–30 km: ₹50
- 30–36 km: ₹60
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The full trip from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR now takes just about one hour, compared to 1 to 2 hours by road presently. The line is expected to carry around 13 lakh (1.3 million) passengers daily.
New ‘Mumbai One’ App for Integrated Mobility
During the inauguration, PM Modi also launched “Mumbai One”, a unified mobility app. It integrates 11 transport operators, including Metro Lines 1, 2A, 7, Aqua Line 3, Monorail, suburban rail, BEST, and Navi Mumbai Metro.
With digital ticketing, multimodal trip planning, and cashless payments, the app cuts queues and simplifies commutes across transport modes.
Why This Matters?
Beyond just adding stations, this project marks Mumbai’s leap into fully underground rapid transit, reducing surface congestion and preserving heritage zones above. For the first time in India, 17 Tunnel Boring Machines ran simultaneously.
The Aqua Line now acts as a spine linking major economic zones — from the business district in south Mumbai to the airport and suburbs in the north. It will also ease pressure on roadways, lower pollution, and boost real estate and commercial development along the corridor.
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In the larger picture, the completion of the Aqua Line transforms how Mumbaikars commute — making subway-style urban living a reality in a city long defined by surface traffic.
