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Mumbai's first fully underground metro corridor, Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line), is now fully operational, connecting Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai to Aarey JVLR in Goregaon. The final stretch from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade adds 11 underground stations and strengthens access to heritage areas, business districts, and government hubs. Developed by MMRCL with funding from the Government of India and JICA, the line will serve 13 lakh commuters daily, reduce suburban railway load by 15%, save 3.54 lakh litres of fuel per day, cut vehicular trips, and improve overall urban mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Mumbai's 33.5-km Aqua Line, also known as Metro Line 3, is now fully operational, offering complete underground connectivity from Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai to Aarey JVLR in Goregaon. The last stretch, connecting Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the city. This Phase 2B section adds 11 underground stations and was constructed at an estimated cost of INR 12,195 crore, providing smooth access to south Mumbai's heritage zones, business centres, and administrative hubs. Advertisement
The Aqua Line is designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing railway network, connecting with Central Railway at Mumbai CSMT and with Western Railway at Mumbai Central and Churchgate. This integration will improve accessibility to major financial institutions like RBI and BSE, as well as key business districts including Fort, Nariman Point, and Kalbadevi. In total, the entire metro corridor has been built at a cost exceeding INR 37,270 crore, marking a significant milestone in the city's transport infrastructure.
According to MMRCL, the metro is expected to reduce the load on suburban railways by 15%, save approximately 3.54 lakh litres of fuel daily, and cut down 6.65 lakh vehicular trips every day. The line is projected to serve around 13 lakh commuters daily, offering faster and more convenient access to six major business and employment hubs, 30 educational institutions, 13 hospitals, 14 religious sites, and 30 recreational centres. Travel time between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR will now take about one hour, compared to the current 1-2 hours depending on traffic conditions.
Construction of the Aqua Line began in 2017, involving over 15,000 workers. For the first time in India, 17 tunnel boring machines were deployed simultaneously, setting a national record in underground construction. The project also included rehabilitation for 1,941 families in ownership flats and 733 in temporary housing. Environmental initiatives were part of the plan, with more than 23,000 trees planted under compensatory plantations and ongoing mangrove restoration efforts.
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