August 18, 2025: Mumbai’s Metro-3, popularly known as the Aqua Line, is swiftly transforming the city’s approach to urban mobility. The fully underground 33.5-km corridor stretches from Cuffe Parade (Colaba) to Aarey, incorporating 27 stations that connect central business districts, residential neighbourhoods, cultural landmarks, and airport terminals. The project aims to provide a seamless, time-efficient alternative to road travel, particularly for office-goers and daily commuters.
The Aqua Line is being rolled out in phases to maximise connectivity. Phase 1, linking Aarey Colony to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), commenced operations in October 2024. This section alone connected 10 critical stations, including SEEPZ, Marol Naka, and airport terminals T1 and T2. Officials estimate it has reduced daily road congestion by 35 per cent, saving over 3.5 lakh litres of fuel and eliminating 6.5 lakh car journeys.
Phase 2A, extending the line from BKC to Worli, was launched in May 2025. Serving six stations—including Dharavi, Dadar, and Siddhivinayak—it quickly proved its worth, carrying more than 32,000 passengers daily within its first week. The final stretch from Worli to Cuffe Parade, covering major nodes such as CSMT, Churchgate, and Vidhan Bhavan, is scheduled to open by August 2025. Once complete, Metro-3 is expected to handle 13 lakh passengers each day.
The system features eight-coach trains capable of carrying 2,500 passengers per trip, running at an average operational speed of 35 km/h. Trains run every 6–7 minutes during peak hours and every 15–20 minutes off-peak. Ticketing options include counters, vending machines, the MetroConnect3 app, and the Mumbai 1 RuPay NCMC card, interoperable with other metro lines and BEST buses.
More than a transport upgrade, Metro-3 represents a crucial step towards sustainable urban growth—cutting emissions, easing congestion, and enhancing connectivity across India’s financial capital.
Source: Urban Acres
