Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the first phase of Mumbai's first underground metro next month.
According to official sources, the 12.5-kilometer stretch from Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex, part of the 33.5-kilometer-long underground Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey metro corridor, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in the first week of October, along with other infrastructure projects in the state.
This metro line has 10 stations between Aarey Colony and BKC. The metro will operate from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays and from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekends.
This line will provide crucial connectivity for daily commuters, including access to both domestic and international airports.
Once fully operational, the Aqua Line will connect the southern, central, and western parts of Mumbai.
According to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) Managing Director Ashwini Bhide, the minimum fare on this line will be ₹10, and the maximum fare will be ₹50.
Once the entire Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey corridor is fully operational, the maximum fare will be ₹70. The first phase of the corridor has a daily capacity of 650,000 passengers.
Bhide mentioned that there will be 48 drivers for operating the trains, including 10 women.
Passengers will be issued paper tickets with QR codes, and gradually, the NCMC card system will be implemented.
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) Managing Director Ashwini Bhide stated that metro operations on Line 3 will begin soon, pending approval from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS).
Bhide mentioned that around 93% of the work on this line has been completed, and the entire stretch from Colaba to Aarey is expected to be fully operational by March or May 2025.
