Mumbai Metro 3: Phase II Of Aqua Line To Begin Operations Between BKC And Cuffe Parade By May 2025

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) is planning to commence operations of the second phase of the Metro 3 Aqua Line between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Cuffe Parade by May 2025. The first phase, connecting Aarey Colony to BKC, began operations on October 7.

"The work on the second phase is over 90% complete, with only a few stations, such as Girgaon and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli, requiring attention due to various local issues," stated a senior MMRCL official. Initially targeted for completion by March 2025, the project may extend to May due to additional testing requirements.

Metro 3, a 33.5-km-long underground corridor, runs from Colaba to SEEPZ, featuring 27 stations, 26 of which are underground, with one at grade.

In a bid to improve connectivity, MMRCL has announced plans to construct a temporary walkway between Terminal 2 (T2) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and the Metro 3 underground station located outside the terminal. Currently, passengers face a 15-minute detour from the metro station to T2 due to the ongoing construction of the Metro 7A station, which will eventually link the airport to Gundavali.

Officials from various agencies, including the urban development department, MMRCL, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the Maha Mumbai Metro Operations Corporation (MMMOCL), and Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), recently visited the T2 metro station to evaluate the feasibility of the temporary walkway.

Aseem Kumar Gupta, principal secretary of the urban development department, directed all relevant agencies to create a temporary walkway to ensure seamless connectivity between the Metro 3 station and T2. An MMRCL official confirmed that the MMRDA has been requested to construct a temporary steel bridge-cum-walkway over the Metro 7A underground station. This structure will connect the Metro 3 station with T2, facilitating smoother passenger movement.

The temporary walkway is expected to be in use until December 2025, by which time the construction of the Metro 7A station is anticipated to be completed. At that point, airport authorities plan to establish a permanent forecourt above the two underground stations, providing direct access to T2.

In a related development, one of the four B1 gates at Bandra Colony Metro Station faced a technical issue on November 24, causing inconvenience to passengers. The entrance remained closed for the entire day, prompting the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) to initiate immediate repairs. The gate became operational on Monday morning.

"Actually, it was not a malfunction or a technical glitch since the services were not hampered. It was a minor issue which was rectified," said MMRC sources.

Stations on Phase II of Metro 3:

Cuffe Parade; Vidhan Bhavan; Churchgate; Hutatma Chowk; CST Metro; Kalabadevi; Girgaon; Grant Road; Jagannath Shankar Sheth Metro; Mahalaxmi; Science Centre; Acharya Atre Chowk; Worli; Siddhivinayak; Dadar; Sitaladevi; Dharavi; BKC.