Mumbai Metro Line 3 Inauguration Set to Revolutionize Commuting in Mumbai
Mumbai: Mumbai’s commuting landscape is set for a historic transformation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the final and most crucial stretch of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) on October 8. This final section, running from Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli) to Cuffe Parade, will complete the city’s first fully underground, 33.5 km metro corridor, promising to drastically cut travel time across the megapolis.
The opening of this final phase connects the southern business districts with the city’s Western and Central suburbs, a route notorious for traffic congestion. Travel time from Aarey to Cuffe Parade is now estimated to be just 54 minutes, a game-changer for daily commuters who currently rely on overburdened suburban railways and slow-moving road transport.
The Complete Aqua Line: Route & Stations
The fully operational Aqua Line (Metro 3) is a 33.5 km corridor connecting Aarey Colony in the North to Cuffe Parade in the South, featuring 27 stations. The line runs entirely underground, except for the Aarey Depot.
Key interchanges along the route will integrate the Metro with the existing transport network, including stops at Mumbai Central, CSMT Metro, and Churchgate for the suburban railways, as well as Marol Naka for Metro Line 1. The line also offers direct connectivity to the Domestic (T1) and International (T2) Airports.
The 11 new stations in the final stretch, moving south from Worli, include: Science Museum, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, CSMT Metro, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and the terminus at Cuffe Parade.
Ticketing & Fare Structure
The Mumbai Metro 3 adopts a distance-based fare structure, ensuring affordability for all commuters. According to the fare chart:
- Up to 3 km: Rs 10
- 3 to 12 km: Rs 20
- 12 to 18 km: Rs 30
- 18 to 24 km: Rs 40
- 24 to 30 km: Rs 50
- 30 to 36 km: Rs 60
Although not applicable to the current stretch of Metro 3, the maximum fare for journeys extending beyond 42 km has been capped at Rs 80.
Commuters can also use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), paper QR tickets, and WhatsApp e-tickets for a seamless travel experience.
Impact and Future Prospects
With a massive expected ridership of over 1.7 million passengers per day, the Aqua Line is not just a transport project; it is a critical infrastructure upgrade poised to redefine North-South connectivity and ease pressure on Mumbai’s congested road and rail networks.
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