September 15, 2025: Mumbai could see the full commissioning of its first underground metro corridor, the Metro-3 Aqua Line, by Dussehra this year. Spanning 33.5 kilometres from Colaba to SEEPZ, the project promises to transform travel between South Mumbai and the suburbs, drastically cutting journey times.
The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) recently carried out a preliminary inspection of the final stretch between Worli and Cuffe Parade stations, signalling that the last phase of the corridor is nearly ready. According to The Free Press Journal, the entire Colaba–Aarey line is expected to open to the public by the end of September or early October.
Phase 1 of the Aqua Line, covering Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), was inaugurated on 7 October 2024, followed by Phase 2 from BKC to Worli on 9 May this year. Once the third and final phase is operational, passengers will be able to travel from Colaba to Aarey Colony in just one hour. Currently, the same journey can take anywhere between two and three hours in peak traffic.
The third phase will also add 11 new stations, further enhancing connectivity across the city. Social media users have shared images of the nearly finished Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Metro station, featuring a striking glass façade and arched entrance, though the authenticity of the photographs has not been independently verified.
The Metro-3 corridor is being hailed as a vital addition to Mumbai’s public transport network. Since its opening, Phase 1 has already helped reduce 6.5 lakh daily car trips, while Phase 2 saw more than 32,000 passengers use the service within just two days of its launch. Once fully functional, the Aqua Line is projected to carry up to 1.3 million passengers every day.
Source: Times Now
