Mumbai Metro Line 3 Update: Mumbaikars, Get Ready For The Ride! Operations To Begin Soon; Costs Skyrocket

Every year, people from all walks of life move to Mumbai in search of a better life. The city, often referred to as the City of Dreams, boasts its travel connectivity, thanks to its excellent highways and the Mumbai Metro. The latest addition to the fast-growing metro network is the Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line or the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line. Once completed, Metro Line 3 will stretch 33.5 kilometres and feature 27 stations from Cuffe Parade to Aarey Colony.

Operated by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC), Mumbai Metro Line 3 is primarily an underground line, a joint venture between the Government of India (GOI) and the Government of Maharashtra (GOM) on a 50:50 sharing basis. The construction plan, approved in 2018, was estimated to cost Rs 23,136 crore.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing most of the project, covering 57.2 per cent with an Official development assistance (ODA) loan of Rs 13,235 crore, to be repaid over 30 years at an interest rate of 1.15 per cent for project activities and 0.01 per cent for consulting services.

In September 2018, MMRC awarded a contract worth EUR 315 million to Alstom Transport and its Indian subsidiary to supply 336 coaches for the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line. Under the contract, Alstom will be responsible for the manufacture, design, supply, installation, and testing of the train sets. The line will use the Alstom Urbalis 400 CBTC (Communications Based Train Control) signalling system. Each coach will seat approximately 300 passengers, with a total capacity of 3,000 passengers per train.

Interestingly, Mumbai Metro Line 3 will feature Grade 4 automation, making it driverless. However, drivers will be employed during its first year of operation.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Route

The line will connect at eight different points with the Railways, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Metro Line 2B, and Metro Line 1. It will be Mumbai's first and only fully underground metro corridor, with 26 out of 27 stations located underground.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Fare

While there is no announcement yet regarding the fare structure for Mumbai Metro Line 3, MMRC will implement an open-loop Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system. This will allow passengers to make contactless post-paid and pre-paid payments using smart cards, as well as pay fares using QR codes on their smartphones.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Update

The MMRC has announced a revised project cost for the underground Metro Line 3. The JICA is funding the project, with the total borrowing now increased to Rs 21,280.45 crore from the previous Rs 13,235 crore.

According to Indian Express, JICA funding has been provided through pass-through assistance (PTA) via the GOI. Reports suggest that four tranches of funding have already been disbursed, and the fifth tranche of the remaining funds is set to be signed on July 5.

The state government has announced that it will cover the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) equity share in the increased project cost of Metro Line 3. This decision was formalised through a new notification from the state urban development department on Tuesday.

An MMRC official stated that the MMRDA is already involved in several other Metro and mega infrastructure projects. Therefore, the state will contribute an additional Rs 1,163.3 crore to the MMRC. With the revised project cost, the state's contribution has now increased to Rs 3,566 crore from the original Rs 2,402.70 crore. Initially, the MMRDA paid an equity share of Rs 2,402.70 crore, and the state will now cover the additional Rs 1,163.3 crore.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Cost

Due to geographic and demographic challenges, land acquisition difficulties, COVID-19 led to delays and issues with the Aarey car shed land acquisition, the cost increased by Rs 10,269.82 crore, raising the total to Rs 33,406 crore.

Between 2021 and 2024, the project incurred extra costs, including Rs 520 crore for consultant fees, Rs 700 crore for rehabilitation and resettlement, Rs 1,500 crore for architectural systems, Rs 150 crore for office expenses, and Rs 1,000 crore for agreements. These additional expenses brought the total project cost to Rs 37,275.50 crore.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Opening

The project is expected to be finished by the end of December 2024, according to Housing.com. Initially, it was planned to be completed by September 2024. However, the Maharashtra Government decided to extend the deadline during its first cabinet meeting to ensure all necessary work is done thoroughly.