By Mewati Sitaram | Mumbai
Mumbai is set to hit a major milestone in its public transport network, a boon for Mumbaikars, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to inaugurate the final stretch of Metro 3 Aqua Line, connecting Worli’s Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade on September 30. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called it a “transformational step for the city’s urban mobility.”
The completion of this section will make the 33.5-kilometre Colaba–Aarey Metro 3 Mumbai’s first fully underground metro corridor. It will consist of 27 stations, 26 of them underground and one at grade, connecting key commercial hubs, residential areas, and heritage districts across the city.
Earlier phases of the Aqua Line were inaugurated in October 2024, when the Aarey–Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) section opened, followed by the BKC–Acharya Atre Chowk segment in May 2025. With the Worli–Cuffe Parade section going live, commuters will be able to travel seamlessly from Colaba in South Mumbai to Aarey in the western suburbs, drastically reducing travel time on one of the city’s busiest routes.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is awaiting final approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) before operations begin. Safety inspections covering tracks, signalling, power systems, tunnel ventilation, and emergency response protocols have already been completed, and the clearance is expected shortly.
Once operational, the final phase is expected to benefit lakhs of commuters daily. Travel time between Colaba and Bandra Kurla Complex, which currently takes more than an hour by road during peak traffic, will be cut to just 25 minutes. Similarly, the full Colaba–Aarey journey will take around 50 minutes, offering a faster, greener, and more reliable alternative to road transport.
The project, which faced delays due to land acquisition hurdles and environmental concerns, is now being hailed as a game-changer for Mumbai’s connectivity. Officials say the Aqua Line will also ease pressure on the city’s overburdened suburban rail system, providing relief to daily commuters.
The inauguration on September 30 is expected to be a landmark event, as PM Modi will also inaugurate the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport on the same day. Together, the two projects are seen as crucial steps in reshaping Mumbai’s infrastructure and enhancing its global image.
With the Aqua Line nearing completion, Mumbai is closer than ever to realising its long-awaited dream of a modern, world-class metro network.
