Dharavi Metro Station Photos Out: Mumbai Metro Unveils Stunning First Look Of Aqua Line 3 Hub

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has unveiled the first images of the upcoming Dharavi Metro Station, part of the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line 3, also called the Aqua Line.

The photos were shared on the official X, formerly Twitter account of MMRCL, on Tuesday. The Dharavi station has been built using the cut-and-cover method and is located along the banks of the Mithi River.

MMRCL stated that the construction faced many challenges such as land acquisition, traffic diversions, and shifting of several underground utilities. Despite these, the station was successfully built and is now close to completion.

In February this year, MMRCL had announced that trial runs had begun on the 9.77-kilometre stretch between Dharavi and Acharya Atre Chowk, which includes six metro stations. Officials confirmed that trains had reached Acharya Atre Chowk during testing. Commercial services on this stretch are likely to begin by March 2025, once all safety checks are completed by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety.

This development is being called Phase 2A of the Aqua Line. A video posted on social media gave a glimpse of the ongoing trials and construction progress.

The final part of the Aqua Line, which will extend to Colaba, is expected to be ready by the end of 2025. Once the line up to Acharya Atre Chowk opens, travel from JVLR (Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road) to Acharya Atre Chowk will take just 39 minutes.

One of the biggest technical challenges during the project was tunnelling beneath the Mithi River. Engineers had to work under difficult soil conditions with no similar example in the city's history. A 3 km-long twin tunnel connects Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Dharavi, with around 2 kilometre passing under expanded water bodies, including a 500 metre stretch directly beneath the active Mithi River.

To carry out this work safely, specially designed earth balance machines were created. Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) named Godavari 3 and Godavari 4, along with the New Australian Tunnelling Method, were used to complete this highly complex section.

The Metro Line 3 project aims to ease travel across Mumbai by providing a faster, more efficient public transport option once fully operational.