Milind Deora, Member of Parliament from Shiv Sena, has highlighted the lack of mobile and internet connectivity on Mumbai Metro Line 3, urging authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest.
In a post on X, Deora stated that he has written to Ashwini Bhide, Chief Executive Officer of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, stressing the urgent need to introduce mobile network and Wi-Fi services across the underground corridor.
In his letter, he acknowledged that the Aqua Line is a major boost to Mumbai’s transport infrastructure. However, he pointed out that the complete absence of mobile connectivity across several stretches has become a pressing concern for daily commuters.
Emphasising Mumbai’s status as India’s financial and commercial hub, Deora noted that the connectivity gap goes beyond inconvenience and directly impacts productivity and efficiency. Thousands of commuters—including professionals, entrepreneurs, and service providers—depend on uninterrupted communication during travel. In today’s digital economy, extended periods without connectivity can disrupt work, coordination, and access to essential services.
Citing reports that telecom operators are ready to implement solutions pending approvals, Deora urged MMRCL to coordinate with stakeholders and expedite the rollout of mobile connectivity within trains and tunnels. As an interim step, he suggested deploying reliable high-speed Wi-Fi across stations and underground sections to ensure continuous connectivity.
Highlighting Mumbai’s track record in adopting infrastructure and innovation, Deora said that seamless digital connectivity on the Aqua Line would strengthen the city’s urban transport ecosystem and significantly enhance commuter experience. He urged authorities to treat the matter with urgency.
Currently, mobile services remain unavailable on the underground corridor after a third-party infrastructure provider was switched off for not meeting contractual obligations. While MMRCL had invited bids to create a shared telecom infrastructure accessible to multiple operators, any new system is expected to take time, offering no immediate relief to passengers.
Source: Mid-day
