July 16, 2025: Mumbai Metro Line 3, the country’s longest fully underground metro corridor, is nearing full operational readiness, with the final section expected to open by August 2025. Spanning 33.5 kilometres and running from Cuffe Parade to Aarey via Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the Aqua Line is poised to significantly transform urban mobility in the country’s financial capital.
Developed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) with major funding support from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), the corridor will connect 27 stations and integrate with existing transport systems. The project addresses Mumbai’s growing demand for efficient public transport, aiming to reduce road traffic and cut down on emissions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.
Constructing the underground line posed several engineering challenges. At Hutatma Chowk Station, engineers worked within a heritage zone and narrow lanes, utiliszing a hybrid construction approach that combined cut-and-cover and conventional tunneling methods. Ground vibrations were closely monitored to ensure that the Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) remained within acceptable limits. Similarly, Kalbadevi Station required excavation in varied geological conditions with limited working space, calling for innovative muck removal techniques and controlled sequencing.
Marol Naka Station posed a different challenge due to its location near high-rise structures and the operational Metro Line 1 viaduct. Engineers implemented fore-poling and pre-grouting methods, along with detailed structural analysis and real-time monitoring using tiltmeters and vibration sensors to ensure safety.
Currently, a 20-km stretch from Aarey to Acharya Atre Chowk is operational. Once the remaining portion from Worli to Cuffe Parade opens, the metro line is expected to ease travel to major hubs like BKC and Worli, enhance daily commutes, and contribute to safer, gender-inclusive public transport. The completion of Line 3 marks a significant milestone in Mumbai’s journey toward a modern and efficient transit system.
Source: Urban Acres
