September 11, 2025: Mumbai’s ambitious Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, is in its final stages of completion, with the last stretch between Worli and Cuffe Parade awaiting fire safety clearance and inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). Once approved, the city’s first fully underground metro will become operational end-to-end, offering seamless north–south connectivity.
Spanning 33.5 km from Aarey in the western suburbs to Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai, Metro Line 3 has been rolled out in phases. The Aarey–Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) segment opened in October 2024, followed by the BKC–Worli section in May 2025. Together, these account for 22.5 km, already recording strong ridership and crossing the one crore passenger mark in August.
On July 23, 2025, the entire corridor was energised with the activation of the 25 kV traction line, paving the way for trial runs on the Worli–Cuffe Parade stretch. The final launch, originally planned for August, was delayed slightly due to pending safety approvals.
Once fully operational, the Aqua Line is expected to serve 4.5 lakh commuters daily, eventually scaling up to 6.5 lakh. It will drastically reduce travel times between South Mumbai and the suburbs, while providing direct connectivity to both domestic and international airports—a long-standing demand of Mumbaikars.
The corridor will also enhance last-mile connectivity to six major business districts, 30 office hubs, 12 educational institutions, 11 hospitals, 10 transport nodes and 25 cultural and religious landmarks. Importantly, it will integrate with existing suburban rail at Churchgate and CSMT, easing pressure on overcrowded train and road networks.
Beyond its commuter benefits, Metro Line 3 represents a landmark in urban infrastructure, setting a new standard as India’s first large-scale underground metro. With trials in their final phase, the city now awaits CMRS approval before the Aqua Line can begin full-scale operations.
Source: The Free Press Journal
