Mumbai Metro 3 Phase 2 Launch Set For Saturday; CM Devendra Fadnavis To Take Preview Ride Today

Mumbai: Mumbai is poised to open another leg of its first underground Metro, with Phase 2 of Metro Line 3 — the Aqua Line — set to become operational from Saturday, May 10. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to take a preview ride on Friday (May 9) from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Siddhivinayak station, ahead of the line's public opening.

The new 9.6-km underground stretch extends the existing corridor from BKC up to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli Naka, adding six new stations between Dharavi and Worli. This follows the recent safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), the final hurdle before commencing commercial operations.

Currently, a 12.69-km stretch of Metro Line 3 — from Aarey to BKC — is operational, with 11 stations, including 10 underground and one at-grade station at Aarey, which also houses the Metro 3 car shed.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra, is implementing the 33.5-km corridor that will eventually connect Colaba to SEEPZ through some of Mumbai’s most congested and sensitive zones. The entire corridor will have 27 stations and is expected to handle a daily ridership of 14 lakh in its first year.

A Game-Changer for Mumbai’s Transport

Envisioned as a modern mass rapid transit system, Metro Line 3 aims to supplement the overburdened suburban railway system and reduce the city’s road congestion. Once fully operational, the line is projected to cut daily vehicle trips by 6.5 lakh and bring down average travel time and pollution levels.

Mumbai’s public transport share has declined from 88% in 1991 to 65% in 2017. Despite the growing population, Metro and Monorail together currently account for just 2% of the city's transport share, as per the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (2016). In contrast, suburban railways handle 43%, BEST buses 20%, and private vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars the remainder.

Engineering Feat Below the City

Constructing Metro 3 has been a daunting task. The twin-tunnel corridor passes under high-rises, heritage structures, and utilities including 180 km of cables, 4.2 km of large water pipelines, 2 km of stormwater drains, and 2.75 km of gas lines. The tunnelling had to be adapted for varying geological conditions—from basalt rock to volcanic tuff and shale—with constant challenges from groundwater ingress, especially near the coast.

To tackle these, 17 tunnel boring machines (TBMs), including dual-mode hard rock variants, were deployed — customized to the city's varying geology. Of the 55 km of tunnel excavation, most was done by TBMs, with the rest using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

Over 100 lakh cubic tonnes of excavated material were removed to make way for the tunnels and stations. Officials involved in the project say it marks a major milestone, with 100% of the tunnelling complete. Metro 3 began its construction work in November 2017.

Looking Ahead

The Rs 37,276 crore project (approx. USD 4.5 billion), 60% funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is projected to reach a peak ridership of 31.5 lakh daily by 2055. The line will run trains at 2-minute intervals and is expected to reduce 2.6 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

With Mumbai’s average road speed dipping to just 8.1 km/hr — among the lowest globally — Metro Line 3 is expected to significantly improve mobility for over three million people and shape the future of urban transit in the city.

Phase 2 : Dharavi to Acharya Aatre Chowk, Worli set for opening

Length: 9.6km

No. of Stations: 6 underground stations

Names of stations: Dharavi, Sheetla Devi Temple, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, Worli, Acharya Atre Chowk

CMRS certification obtained

Travel time: 36 minutes from Aarey to Acharya Atre Chowk (22 km).

Depot: Aarey station

Ticket Price: - Rs 60 for a journey from Aarey to Acharya Atre Chowk (22 km).

Challenges: - A section of the Dharavi to Acharya Atre Chowk passes through a twin-tunnel under the Mithi River, which required advanced tunneling techniques like Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).

Why Phase 2 Ends at Acharya Atre Chowk: -

After BKC, the next crossover for trains to change tracks and return to the Aarey Depot is at Acharya Atre Chowk. Therefore, Phase 2 will operate up to this station, with the final stretch to Colaba expected to open by June.

Existing operational route: 11 km, from Aarey to BKC Phase 1.