Mumbai’s first underground Metro rail corridor is all set to commence operations from July 24. The announcement for the opening of the corridor, also known as Mumbai Metro Line 3, was made by Bharatiya Janata Party’s general secretary Vinod Tawde said on Wednesday (July 17).
“Mumbai’s first underground metro (Aqua Line) is starting from July 24, which will give new impetus to the speed of the city,” Tawde said in a tweet.
33.5 km-long first underground metro in Mumbai
This 33.5 km underground route, also known as the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line, will link south Mumbai to the western suburbs, alleviating pressure on the city’s suburban railway network.
Recently, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) completed successful trials of rolling stock for Metro Line 3.
Tawde also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to easing the lives of Mumbaikars, which he believes will be realized through Metro Line 3.
Mumbai’s First Underground Metro cost
The total cost of the Metro Line 3 project stands at Rs 37,276 crore, with a significant portion financed through a JICA loan amounting to Rs 21,280 crore, as approved by the Union government in February of this year.
Mumbai’s First Underground Metro stations
The stations are Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro, Kalabadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Mumbai Central Metro, Mahalaxmi, Science Museum, Acharya Atre Chowk, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Sitaladevi, Dharavi, BKC, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Domestic Airport, Sahar Road, International Airport, Marol Naka, MIDC, SEEPZ, and Aarey Depot.
Mumbai’s First Underground Metro travel timing
The metro will run 260 services daily, providing a frequency of one metro every few minutes from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Commuters can anticipate substantial time savings compared to road travel, as the metro will operate at speeds up to 90 km per hour. A journey covering 35 km, usually taking over two hours by road, will be completed in just 50 minutes via the metro.
The project, managed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a joint venture between the Union government and the Maharashtra government, is financed primarily by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).