Wed Sep 25 05:54:18 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai’s First Underground Metro Line 3 to Partially Open in October
**MUMBAI:** Mumbai is on the cusp of a transportation revolution with the partial opening of its first underground metro line, Line 3, also known as the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ line, expected in the first week of October. This marks the fourth metro line operational in the city and the second in Maharashtra.
The 33.5 km line will ultimately connect congested South Mumbai to various business districts, both on the island city and in the suburbs, and link the two airport terminals.
The first phase of Line 3, spanning 12.44 km between Aarey depot and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), will open to the public this month. This “Aqua Line,” as it’s called, is considered the backbone of Mumbai’s metro network, traversing through challenging terrain, including forests, highways, and bridges.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is awaiting final approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) before commissioning Phase 1. The initial phase will feature 10 stations operating from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm on weekdays and 8:30 am to 10:30 pm on weekends. Nine rakes, each capable of carrying 2,500 passengers, will run with a headway of 6.40 minutes.
Fares for the Aarey-BKC route are estimated to be between ₹10 and ₹50, with the maximum fare for the entire line reaching ₹70 once the full line is operational.
The second phase of Line 3, covering 21.34 km, is expected to be complete by mid-2025. Once fully operational, the line is projected to carry 13 lakh passengers daily, potentially diverting 15% of suburban railway traffic and 6.5 lakh vehicles off the road.
MMRCL plans to generate revenue from commercial spaces in key stations, with potential annual earnings of ₹200 crore.
The metro line will also feature mobile phone network coverage and Wi-Fi on trains, addressing a current shortcoming.
First Piper 