Mumbai, the bustling financial capital of India, is on the cusp of a transportation revolution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the first phase of Mumbai’s Metro 3 project, marking a significant milestone in the city’s infrastructure development.
Key points about initial phase of Mumbai’s underground metro
- 12 km stretch between Aarey Colony and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)
- 10 operational stations
- Part of a larger 33.5 km corridor with 27 total stations
- The full line is expected to be completed by March 2025
Operational details
- Running hours: 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays, 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekends
- 9 rakes in service, conducting 96 trips daily
- Each eight-car train can carry approximately 2,500 passengers
- 48 train captains to operate the technically driverless trains
Significance
- Will connect southern, central, and western parts of Mumbai
- Provides access to both domestic and international airports
- Expected to reduce road traffic congestion, especially in western suburbs
Fare structure (estimated, based on existing lines)
- 0-3 km: ₹10
- 3-12 km: ₹20
- 12-18 km: ₹30
- 18+ km: ₹40 or more
- Initial ticketing system
- Paper tickets with QR codes
- Plans to gradually activate NCMC cards
Project challenges
- Originally planned for 2021 completion
- Delayed due to environmental concerns over Aarey car depot and slow construction progress
Broader context
- Part of Mumbai’s expanding metro network
- One of 14 planned lines to improve city-wide connectivity
Other notable projects during PM Modi’s visit
- Inauguration of a section of the Thane Creek Bridge
- Launch of the final phase of Samruddhi Expressway (Mumbai-Nagpur)
- Foundation laying for Thane Ring Metro
During his visit, PM Modi’s agenda extends beyond the metro inauguration. He is also set to launch crucial projects including a Thane Creek Bridge section and the Samruddhi Expressway’s final phase, which will connect Mumbai to Nagpur. Additionally, he will lay the foundation for the ambitious Thane Ring Metro project.
Existing and upcoming metro lines in Mumbai
- Line 1 (Blue): Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, 11.4 km
- Line 2A (Yellow): Dahisar East to DN Nagar, 18.6 km
- Line 7 (Red): Dahisar East to Gundavali, 16.5 km
- Several other lines in various stages of planning and construction
Impact
- The Aqua Line is expected to have an immediate effect on city travel
- Connects crucial locations like Santacruz, Marol, and Ghatkopar
- Part of a larger effort to ease congestion and improve connectivity across Mumbai
The Aqua Line is just one piece of Mumbai’s grand metro puzzle. The city’s rapid transit network is undergoing a massive expansion, with 14 planned metro lines set to crisscross the metropolis. From the operational Blue Line connecting Versova to Ghatkopar, to the future lines extending to distant suburbs like Mira-Bhayander and Virar, Mumbai’s transportation landscape is being redrawn.
This partial inauguration marks a significant milestone in Mumbai’s public transportation development. The Aqua Line, along with other planned metro expansions, aims to transform the city’s transit landscape, potentially alleviating its notorious traffic congestion and providing faster, more efficient commuting options for millions of residents.
