Mumbai: 16 days after the launch of Metro Line 3’s second phase, which connects Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is facing questions after water logging was reported at the new Acharya Aatre Chowk station during the city’s first spell of intense rainfall in May month as monsoon yet to arrive.
Worli constituency Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Aditya Thackeray visited the Acharya Atre Chowk Metro station and strongly criticized the government over what he called "shoddy execution" of the project. When informed that the waterlogging was due to ongoing construction work, he questioned the decision to open the station to the public in such haste. Thackeray also raised serious concerns about the government’s preparedness for the monsoon season.
According to MMRC, the waterlogging occurred at an under-construction entry/exit structure of the station located along Dr. Annie Besant Road in Worli. The incident was triggered by the collapse of a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) water-retaining wall following a sudden ingress of water from a nearby utility line.
“Due to the sudden and intense rainfall today, water seepage was reported at the under-construction entry/exit structure of Acharya Atrey Chowk station, located along Dr. Annie Besant Road. The incident occurred when the RCC water-retaining wall constructed at the entry/ exit collapsed due to a sudden ingress of water from an adjoining utility,” MMRC said in an official statement.
The corporation clarified that the affected portion remains under construction and is not accessible to commuters. As a safety precaution, train services between Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk have been temporarily suspended. However, operations between Aarey JVLR and Worli continue without disruption.
“Our engineering and safety teams are on-site and working on a war footing to address the issue,” the MMRC added. “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our commuters and request their patience and cooperation. Safety remains our highest priority, and services will resume only after all systems are fully secure and operational.”
The setback comes amid MMRC's recent strides in expanding the city’s underground transport infrastructure. Phase 2 of Metro Line 3 was officially inaugurated on May 10, extending the underground corridor from BKC to Worli and enhancing connectivity between the western suburbs and south Mumbai.
The first phase (Aarey to BKC) was launched on October 5, 2024.
As MMRC scrambles to repair the waterlogging issue and restore full services, the incident raises serious questions about the underground Metro 3 infrastructure's readiness, even as Mumbai has yet to witness monsoon.
