Mumbai Metro 3 Inaugurates Today! Here Is What Makes Aqua Line Special

Years in the making: The project was approved in 2013, construction began in 2016, and after several delays, it’s expected to become fully operational from Oct 9.

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Longest underground metro line: Mumbai Metro Line 3 spans 33.5 km entirely underground, connecting Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ with 27 stations, easing congestion across South and North Mumbai.

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Massive commuter relief: The metro will carry over 20 lakh passengers daily, reducing road traffic and cutting travel time between Colaba and SEEPZ from two hours to just one.

Engineering marvel: Tunneling was carried out 60 meters below ground, making it one of India’s deepest metro lines, using 17 tunnel boring machines (TBMs) simultaneously.

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Environmental and legal hurdles: The project faced strong opposition over tree cutting in Aarey Colony, leading to court cases and protests before work resumed in late 2022.

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Modern technology: Metro Line 3 features driverless train technology, platform screen doors, and advanced air-conditioning and signaling systems for enhanced passenger comfort and safety.

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Economic impact: The metro is expected to save over ₹1,200 crore annually in fuel and productivity losses, supporting Mumbai’s economy and reducing pollution levels.

Built by MMRCL:The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) oversees the project, with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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Future expansion: Line 3 will serve as the backbone of Mumbai’s metro network, connecting seamlessly with Lines 1, 2, 4, and 7, transforming public transport across the entire metropolitan region.

Inaugurates today: As PM Modi schedules to visit Mumbai on Oct 8 and 9, Metro line 3 and Navi Mumbai International Airport are going to be inaugurated by him. Mumbaikars new 'lifeline' to begin operations from Oct 9.