Mumbai Set To Get Its First Underground Metro: Check Aqua Line Metro's Route, Features, Other Details

Mumbai, the country's financial capital, will get its first underground metro line (Aqua Line), known as Metro Line 3, on July 24. Last month, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) successfully completed rolling stock trials for Mumbai Metro Line 3.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding the Metro Line 3 project, and the total project cost, which was revised to Rs 37,276 crore and approved by the Union government in February of this year, includes a Rs 21,280 crore JICA loan.

The new metro line will be 33.5 kilometres long. Mumbai's first underground metro line will connect Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ. With 27 stops over a 33.5 km track that runs from Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade, it would revolutionise urban transport by making it easier to navigate Mumbai's neighbourhoods and lessening traffic congestion.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, approved the transfer of the state government's portion of the project, worth Rs 1,163 crore, to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation during the cabinet meeting rather than the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Mumbai Central Metro, Mahalaxmi, Science Museum, Acharya Atre Chowk, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Shitladevi, Dharavi, BKC, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Domestic Airport, Sahar Road, International Airport, Marol Naka, MIDC, SEEPs, and Aarey Depot are among the stations on the new metro line.

Mumbai Metro 3's first phase will connect Bandra Kurla Complex and SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone). Originally slated to be finished by September 2024, the project will now be finished by the end of December 2024.

According to data from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation website, approximately 99.2 percent of the project's civil works have been finished. Approximately 97% of the station's total construction has been finished. 

Tunnelling work has been finished completely under the project; overall systems work is 77.6% completed, depot civil work is 99.8% completed, and mainline track construction is nearly 87% completed.

The inauguration of the metro transit system has received a considerable response in the city, with daily ridership on the Mumbai Metro increasing significantly.