Mumbai Metro-3: Dussehra opening on the cards as CMRS conducts final phase inspection

Mumbai Metro-3

Mumbai is likely to get the long-awaited complete underground Metro-3 (Aqua Line) by Dussehra, promising smoother daily travel between South Mumbai and the suburbs.

The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) on Friday carried out the preliminary inspection of the final phase of the corridor between Worli and Cuffe Parade station.

Officials were quoted by The Free Press Journal as saying that the CMRS team will submit its inspection report next week. Based on the findings, the board will return for a final safety review of the pending 10.99 km stretch. If clearances are granted, the entire 33.5-km Colaba–Aarey line could open by the end of September or early October.

A senior Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) official was quoted by The Free Press Journal as saying that any suggestions from the preliminary inspection would be addressed promptly before the final CMRS visit.

At present, services are operational on the 22.46-km stretch between Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli. Trial runs on the final leg up to Cuffe Parade have been under way since April. The completion of this phase will add 11 stations, making the corridor fully operational.

The commissioning of Metro-3 will provide direct connectivity from Colaba to Worli, Santacruz, the airport and Aarey, reducing dependence on suburban trains. Currently, commuters bound for Colaba alight at CSMT or Churchgate and continue by bus or taxi. The new corridor is expected to offer a seamless end-to-end link, connecting parts of the city not served earlier.