July 26, 2025: Just over two months since its partial launch on 10 May, Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line (Line 3) is already grappling with multiple infrastructure concerns. The first notable issue occurred on 26 May, when the Acharya Atre Chowk station was flooded—merely 16 days into operations. Now, attention has shifted to the Santacruz station, adjacent to the Western Express Highway, where damage to a glass panel at entry/exit point ‘A2’ has raised safety concerns.
The panel, located at the access point leading to Hanuman Tekdi and Maratha Colony, has been visibly cracked for the past four days. A police officer stationed at the Metro told mid-day, “We believe a stone hit the glass as a car sped by. While the hole is small, it caused cracks to spread across the entire panel.”
The officer further suggested that fluctuating city temperatures may have worsened the situation. “It often exceeds 30°C here, and when it rains suddenly, the sharp temperature drop might cause stress on materials. A sudden impact, combined with thermal shock, could have triggered the cracking.” Adding to safety concerns, on July 25, locals spotted a young boy from the nearby area playing atop the sloped section of the A2 entrance, sliding down its side. They alerted an on-duty police officer, who intervened and reprimanded the boy.
Attempts to reach Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) for an official statement were unsuccessful, as no response had been received by the time of publication. The recurring incidents have prompted questions over the long-term durability and safety measures of Mumbai’s ambitious underground transit line, especially as the city heads into monsoon season.
Source: Mid-day
