July 4, 2025: In a significant step towards improving pedestrian connectivity around the upcoming Aqua Line 3 of the Mumbai Metro, authorities have nearly completed the construction of a new underpass linking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) subway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to the future CSMT Metro Station on Line 3.
According to a report by Midday, the underpass construction is progressing swiftly and is now in its final stages. The new underground walkway is set to provide seamless access from the metro station to the existing BMC pedestrian subway, enhancing ease of movement for commuters and decongesting surface-level traffic.
“This is one of the multiple entry and exit points of the CSMT Metro Station and will offer direct access to the BMC’s main pedestrian subway,” said a project official. The improved connectivity is expected to play a crucial role ahead of the full commissioning of Aqua Line 3, which is anticipated by December 2025.
A portion of Aqua Line 3—connecting Aarey to JVLR, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk—is already operational. The full 33.5-kilometre stretch from Colaba to SEEPZ will soon open to the public, with 26 out of 27 stations built underground. Once fully functional, Line 3 will link eight key railway stations and is projected to serve approximately 1.7 million passengers daily.
The project, which is being financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is estimated to cost Rs 37,276 crore. Of this, Rs 21,280 crore is being funded through a JICA loan.
With enhanced connectivity, reduced commute times, and an expected boost in public transport usage, the CSMT underpass is poised to become a critical pedestrian link in south Mumbai’s urban transit network.
Source: the Daily Jagran
