Mumbai Metro Line-3: MMRC Finalises Detailed Project Report For 2.5-km Extension To Navy Nagar

The extension of Mumbai Metro Line-3 up to Navy Nagar in Colaba has gathered pace as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) recently finalised the detailed project report.

The underground extension, spanning 2.5 kilometres features a 1.5-km segment leading to the proposed Navy Nagar station, along with an additional 1-km for the train reversal facility between the up and down line tracks.

The decision to extend Metro Line-3 to Navy Nagar was announced during the 2022-23 budget speech by the then deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. This decision was made in response to a request from the Indian Navy office to the state government.

With approximately 1 lakh residents, including a transient population, residing in Navy Nagar, the Navy advocated for this extension to enhance connectivity in the area.

If approved, the extension promises to greatly benefit the densely populated region, currently reliant on BEST buses, private vehicles, and taxis for commuting within one of south Mumbai's most congested zones.

Construction of the extended Metro line is scheduled to begin in 2025, following the completion and commencement of commercial operations of the existing Metro Line-3. The anticipated timeline for the extension is set at 30 months once groundwork commences.

First Underground Corridor

The 33.5-km long Metro-3 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.

With an estimated project cost of Rs 33,000 crore, the project has received funding from several entities, including Japan's technical and lending agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The initial phase, linking Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), is anticipated to open in April 2024. Following closely, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation aims to unveil Phase II from BKC to Colaba in June or July of the same year.