Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to partially inaugurate Mumbai’s first underground metro, known as the Metro 3 project, during his upcoming visit to the city next month. This event will mark the opening of the Aqua Line’s initial phase, which spans 12 kilometers between Aarey Colony and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). A total of 10 stations will be operational along this stretch.
Upcoming Projects in Maharashtra
During his visit, PM Modi will also launch several significant projects in Maharashtra. These include a section of the Thane Creek Bridge and the final phase of the Samruddhi Expressway, which connects Mumbai to Nagpur. Additionally, he will lay the foundation for the Thane Ring Metro.
Key Features of the New Metro Stretch
Distance: 12 kilometers
Stations: 10 stations between Aarey Colony and BKC
Full Corridor Length: 33.5 kilometers
Expected Completion: Full line projected by March 2025
Total Stations: 27
Operational Hours: 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays; 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekends
Train Operations: Nine rakes will be in service, making 96 trips daily, with each eight-car train capable of carrying about 2,500 passengers.
Train Captains: 48 train captains will operate the trains, which are designed to be able to run driverless.
The Aqua Line will play a vital role in connecting daily commuters to significant locations, including both domestic and international airports. Once fully operational, it will link the southern, central, and western parts of Mumbai, with key areas such as Nariman Point, Mumbai Central, Worli, Dadar, and direct access to Mumbai International Airport.
Expected Fare Structure
While the official fare structure for the Aqua Line has yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated to follow a pricing model similar to existing metro lines. Here’s an estimated fare structure for when the line becomes operational:
0-3 km: ₹10
3-12 km: ₹20
12-18 km: ₹30
18+ km: ₹40 or more
Initially, passengers will receive paper tickets with a QR code, with plans to gradually implement NCMC cards.
Impact on Urban Travel
The partial inauguration of the Metro 3 corridor is expected to significantly enhance travel within Mumbai. The stations along this route will connect crucial locations such as Santacruz, Marol, and Ghatkopar, potentially alleviating road traffic congestion in busy areas like the western suburbs.
Originally slated for completion in 2021, the Aqua Line faced various delays due to environmental concerns related to the Aarey car depot and slow construction progress by contractors.
Expanding Mumbai’s Metro Network
The Mumbai Metro system is rapidly expanding, with the Aqua Line being one of 14 planned metro lines aimed at reducing congestion and improving connectivity across the city. Other current and upcoming metro lines include:
Line 1 (Blue Line): Connecting Versova, Andheri, and Ghatkopar, covering 11.4 km with 12 stations.
Line 2A (Yellow Line): Running from Dahisar (East) to DN Nagar along the Link Road, covering 18.6 km with 17 stations.
Line 2B (Yellow Line): An extension from DN Nagar to Mandale.
Line 4 (Green Line): Linking Wadala to Kasarvadavali, spanning 32.32 km.
Line 5 (Orange Line): Connecting Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan over 24.95 km.
Line 6 (Pink Line): A 14.47 km line from Lokhandwala to Kanjurmarg.
Line 7 (Red Line): Operational from Dahisar (East) to Gundavali, covering 16.5 km with 14 stations.
Line 9: An extension of Line 7 to Mira Bhayander.
Line 8 (Airport connector): Proposed to connect Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Line 10 and Line 11: Planned to enhance connectivity between northern suburbs and business districts.
Line 12: A future extension connecting Kalyan to Taloja.
Line 13 and Line 14: Proposed lines to extend metro services from Mira Road to Virar and Kanjurmarg to Badlapur, reaching the outskirts of the city.