Mumbai's First Underground Metro Phase I To Be Launched By Prime Minister Modi In October First Week

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is set to inaugurate Phase I of the highly anticipated Metro 3 corridor, connecting Aarey and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), in the first week of October.

The 33.5-km long rail line running along Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ is the first underground metro corridor of Mumbai. It will connect the Cuffe Parade business district in the extreme south of the city to SEEPZ in the north-central area with 26 underground and one at-grade station.

This eagerly awaited underground metro line, known as the 'Aqua Line', is part of a 14-line network for the city and will be the only one connecting the southernmost parts of Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the inauguration of the 12-kilometre stretch, which includes 10 stations. According to Economic Times report, the event is likely to take place between 3 October and 5 October, with 4 October being the most probable date.

A senior MMRCL official confirmed that the line will be opened to the public the day after the inauguration. "We are fully prepared for the inaugural run," the official said.

“The BKC-Aarey stretch, with its 10 stations, covers some of the most congested areas. Commuters from BKC can reach the Santacruz Metro station and walk to the suburban railway. Likewise, passengers can take the Metro to Marol and connect to Ghatkopar via Central Railway. Metro 3 also provides direct access to both domestic and international airports,” explained a transport expert.

Originally slated for completion in 2021, the project experienced delays due to challenges at the Aarey car depot, where tree-cutting permission issues caused setbacks. Additionally, slow construction by a contractor resulted in further delays. After revising the deadline multiple times, the MMRCL pushed the completion date to June 2024, with Phase I ready for opening ahead of schedule.

Once Phase II is operational, the Metro 3 corridor will connect southern, central, and western Mumbai, significantly enhancing the city’s transit infrastructure.

Alongside the Metro 3 inauguration, Prime Minister Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the Thane Ring Metro. Recently approved by the Union cabinet, the 29-kilometre project will feature 22 stations and is expected to be operational by 2029. The elevated route is designed to improve connectivity between Mumbai, Kalyan, and Thane, reducing commuting times and easing congestion.