Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the final phase of Mumbai Metro Line-3 on Wednesday. The 10.99-km Phase 2B stretch from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade marks the completion of Mumbai’s first fully underground 33.5-km Aqua Line. Passenger services on this corridor are scheduled to begin from October 9.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) will operate the corridor from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR. During the event held in Navi Mumbai, Modi also inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Highlighting the significance of these projects, he stated that they will transform Mumbai’s connectivity and symbolize ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Emphasizing infrastructure as a tool for citizen convenience, Modi noted that the new airport will connect Maharashtra’s farmers to global markets in Europe and West Asia. This connectivity will enable swift exports of fresh produce and help reduce costs for small and medium industries. Consequently, this development is expected to boost investments, spur new enterprises, and enhance economic growth in the region.
According to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), the new corridor is expected to reduce the load on local trains by approximately 15% in the related section in the coming months. The project also aims to deliver significant environmental benefits, including a daily reduction of 6.65 lakh vehicular trips and fuel savings of 3.54 lakh litres per day. It is estimated to result in a 35% reduction in traffic congestion, leading to lower noise and air pollution levels across the region.
The fare structure for the Aqua Line has been set with a minimum ticket price of Rs 10 and a maximum of Rs 70 for traveling the entire route. The 33.5-km-long corridor, constructed at a total cost of Rs 37,276 crore, features a design speed of 95 km/h. Currently, 31 trains (rakes) are in service, with trains expected every five minutes during peak hours.
This extensive corridor connects more than 30 educational institutions, 13 hospitals, 14 religious sites, and over 30 recreational facilities, providing enhanced accessibility to key areas of Mumbai.
The final phase of Metro Line 3, spanning from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, was built at a cost of Rs 12,195 crore and includes 11 stations. This completes the 33.5 km-long corridor, which consists of a total of 27 stations. Two earlier phases of the corridor are already operational. With the inauguration of this final phase, the entire metro line—running from Aarey JVLR in the north to Cuffe Parade in the south—is now ready for public use.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbais-first-fully-underground-metro-line-3-set-to-cut-suburban-rail-congestion-by-15
