The inauguration of the initial phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3, linking Aarey and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), is rescheduled for April 2024. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), overseeing the Aqua Line’s implementation, initially aimed to commence Phase 1 operations by December 2023 but extended the deadline due to ongoing work at the Aarey car shed.
Ashwini Bhide, the Managing Director of MMRC, clarified the delay, stating, “Earlier, we had announced December 2023 as the opening date for Phase I, but work on the shunting neck, which will connect the depot to the main line, is still underway.” She anticipates the Phase I line to open by March-April, with the Phase II line, the BKC-Cuffe Parade stretch, to follow by September-October.
As of November 30, 2023, the MMRC has accomplished 93.4% of the Aarey-BKC route works, including 98.9% completion of stations and tunnels, and 96.6% overall station construction. The shunting neck work at the Aarey depot is expected to conclude by the end of January. The 33-acre Aarey car shed will serve as the maintenance base for Mumbai Metro Line 3.
Upon completion of all tasks, full train trials will commence, followed by trials by RDSO, the research and development arm of Indian Railways. Subsequently, the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will inspect the network, and commercial operations can begin upon obtaining approval.
Metro-3, spanning 33.5 km along Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ, is Mumbai’s inaugural underground corridor, connecting Cuffe Parade in the south to SEEPZ in the north-central region with 26 underground and one at-grade station.
MMRC has procured all nine trainsets for Phase 1 and awarded a 315-million-euro contract to French manufacturer Alstom for 31 metro trainsets for Phase 2. The first long-distance trial from MIDC to Vidyanagari Metro Station and back to SEEPZ has been successfully completed, with plans for future trials at speeds up to 80 kmph.
The anticipated second phase between BKC and Colaba, initially scheduled for May 2024, is now expected to be operational by October 2024.