Mumbai Metro Line 3 Update: Underground Route Under Mithi River May Open This Weekend

Mumbai's underground Metro Line 3 is moving closer to opening its second phase, as the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has begun final inspections, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report. This new 9.77-kilometre stretch runs from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli. If all goes well, the line could be open to the public by next week.

The Metro Line, also known as the Aqua Line, was partially opened on October 7, 2024. At present, trains run between Aarey JVLR and BKC, covering 12.69 kilometres. The next phase, from BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk, is waiting for safety clearance. A final stretch of 13 kilometres up to Cuffe Parade is expected to be completed by July 2025. The entire project is being led by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

Once the full line is open, it will cover 22.5 kilometres and have 16 underground stations. This will greatly improve travel between Central Mumbai and areas like Jogeshwari and the Vikhroli Link Road. Important stations on the upcoming section include Dharavi, Sitaladevi, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk. One of the most notable features of this route is that it goes under the Mithi River-an impressive engineering achievement.

Sources told HT that CMRS officials visited the route on Monday, and a complete inspection is expected around April 10. "If everything is found to be in order, the line could be launched by the weekend or early next week," a source said.

Although MMRC has not yet announced the official launch date, it has already submitted the required documents to CMRS. In March, they also received the report from the Independent Safety Assessor, which is a key requirement. The CMRS team will now review all aspects of the line, including civil works, tracks, electrical systems, and emergency procedures.

Once all 16 stations are open, daily passenger numbers are expected to rise. The one-way fare from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk has been fixed at Rs 60. The extended line will connect several key business areas such as SEEPZ, MIDC, Andheri-Kurla Road, BKC, and Worli. It will also make it easier for people to reach well-known residential and cultural spots, including St. Michael's Church in Mahim, the shrine of Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi, Shitaladevi Temple, and the famous Siddhivinayak Temple.