Mumbai’s long-awaited Metro-3, popularly known as the Aqua Line, is expected to be fully operational by the upcoming Dussehra festival, marking a transformative step in the city’s transport system. The announcement came after the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) conducted a preliminary inspection of the final section between Worli and Cuffe Parade. It was indicated by officials that the report would be submitted next week, following which a final safety review would be carried out. Subject to approvals, the 33.5-km Colaba–Aarey corridor could be commissioned by late September or early October.
At present, only the 22.46 km stretch between Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli is in service. Trial runs have been undertaken since April on the last leg of 10.99 km. With its completion, 11 additional stations will be added, linking Colaba, Worli, Santacruz, Aarey, and both domestic and international airports. Daily commuters who currently must disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus or Churchgate and rely on road transport will soon be provided with a direct metro ride across the city.
The Aqua Line holds the distinction of being Mumbai’s first fully underground metro system. Its construction and rollout were divided into phases. The Aarey–Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) segment was inaugurated on October 7, 2024, while the BKC–Worli segment was launched on May 9, 2025, and opened to the public the next day. Both phases together cover 22.5 km and have already witnessed robust ridership. According to an official update on August 28, the Aqua Line crossed the 1 crore ridership milestone, highlighting its growing popularity among commuters.
A major milestone was achieved in July 2025, when the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) energised the 25 kV traction line across the entire route, signaling readiness for full operations. The line, once fully opened, is projected to serve 4.5 lakh passengers daily, with numbers expected to rise to 6.5 lakh as usage expands.
The new corridor is expected to drastically reduce travel time between South Mumbai and the western suburbs, besides easing congestion on local trains and roads. Direct rail connectivity to the city’s airports will finally be delivered, fulfilling a demand that has been pending for years. Despite several delays in earlier deadlines, the Aqua Line is now closer than ever to becoming the lifeline it was envisioned to be. Its completion is anticipated to reshape Mumbai’s urban mobility and provide commuters with a faster, more reliable, and sustainable mode of transport.
Share
Tweet
