Mumbai's First Underground Metro Set for Partial Launch in October.

Mumbai’s first underground Metro is set to begin operations in a phased manner starting in October, as confirmed by officials from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL). The ₹37,276 crore project is expected to become fully operational by 2025.

The initial phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3, which spans 12.44 kilometers (km) between Aarey Depot and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), is anticipated to commence operations by the first week of October, pending necessary clearances. MMRCL is developing Line 3 in two phases: the first phase connects Aarey to BKC, while the second phase extends from BKC to Colaba, totaling 21.06 km. This combined project has surpassed the estimated cost of ₹23,000 crore provided in the detailed project report released in 2011.

Phase 2 of Mumbai Metro Line 3 is expected to become operational between March and May 2025. Once fully operational, the Metro is projected to accommodate a daily ridership of 1.3 million passengers, significantly reducing travel times to just 60 minutes.

The upcoming Metro stretch will join other significant infrastructure projects recently completed in the city, such as the Mumbai-Trans Harbour Link, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024, and the partially opened Coastal Road in March. Mumbai Metro Line 2A also commenced operations in January 2023, in the presence of Modi.

MMRCL officials have set ticket prices for the first phase between ₹10 and ₹50, with fares expected to increase to ₹70 per passenger once the entire stretch is operational. Additionally, Mumbai Metro Line 3 will feature 150,000 square feet of commercial space across various stations, generating non-fare revenue.

BS