Mumbai’s eagerly awaited first underground metro, the Aqua Line, is set to commence operations on July 24th. The news was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to improving the lives of Mumbaikars. The Aqua Line will stretch for 33.5 kilometers, connecting Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade, traversing through key locations like Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone). With 27 stations strategically positioned along the route, the Aqua Line is anticipated to transform urban transit in Mumbai, easing travel across the city’s streets and mitigating traffic congestion.
The Aqua Line’s stations will include Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Mumbai Central Metro, Mahalaxmi, Science Museum, Acharya Atre Chowk, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Shitladevi, Dharavi, BKC, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Domestic Airport, Sahar Road, International Airport, Marol Naka, MIDC, SEEPs, and Aarey Depot. These strategically located stations are expected to provide convenient access to various parts of the city, making travel smoother and more efficient for commuters.
In June, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) successfully completed the trials of rolling stock for the underground metro line, signifying the project’s readiness for launch. The Metro Line 3 project, which encompasses the Aqua Line, is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Maharashtra government, aiming for timely completion, had decided to finish the Mumbai Metro 3 project by the end of December 2024. The first phase of Mumbai Metro 3, connecting Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone to Bandra Kurla Complex, is expected to be operational by this deadline. Initially, the project was scheduled for completion by September 2024, but with the government’s focus on meeting the revised deadline, the project has reached 98% completion. The overall cost of the project has been revised to ₹37,275.50 crore.
The launch of the Aqua Line marks a significant step towards modernizing Mumbai’s transportation infrastructure. This underground metro is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time, enhance connectivity, and ultimately improve the quality of life for Mumbaikars. The project’s success underscores the government’s commitment to developing sustainable and efficient urban transportation solutions for the city.
