October 11, 2025: Mumbai’s much-anticipated Metro Line-3, also known as the Aqua Line, recorded an impressive response on its first day of full operations, with over 1.55 lakh passengers travelling between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR. According to officials, the 33.5-km underground corridor ferried 1,55,456 commuters on October 9 — marking a strong start for the city’s first fully underground metro line.
Stations such as CSMT and Vidhan Bhavan witnessed heavy footfall throughout the day, with long queues forming during morning and evening rush hours. The line, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, connects South Mumbai’s business districts to the Western suburbs through 27 stations, significantly enhancing the city’s mass transit network.
Authorities said the new corridor is expected to decongest Mumbai’s roads and reduce travel time between key commercial hubs, tourist attractions, and residential neighbourhoods. “Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 is a significant enhancement to Mumbai’s infrastructure. Metro connectivity is essential for a city’s growth. This project will have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Mumbai,” PM Modi said on X on Wednesday.
However, commuters faced a few initial hiccups on day one, including non-functional escalators, ticket vending machines, poor mobile network connectivity, and long queues at several stations.
Until October 8, the Aqua Line operated only between Acharya Atre Chowk and Aarey JVLR. The full opening of the corridor marks a major milestone in Mumbai’s public transport development, linking the southern tip of the city to its western suburbs through a high-capacity, underground metro system.
The encouraging ridership figures on the first day signal strong commuter interest, reflecting the Metro-3 line’s potential to transform daily travel across Mumbai’s busiest routes.
Source: CNBC TV18
