PM Modi Inaugurates Mumbai’s 1st Underground Metro
The first phase of the Aqua Line started on 7th October 2024. It operates from BKC to Aarey Depot. Here are some amazing facts about the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mumbai’s first underground metro, the Aqua Line (Mumbai Metro 3), on 5th September 2024. This much-awaited metro line stretches 33.5 kilometers from Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade and has a total of 27 stations.
The Aqua Line features key stations like Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, and CST Metro. However, currently, only the first phase is operational, covering a 12.69-kilometer stretch from BKC to Aarey Depot, which includes 10 stations.
This phase connects directly to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and links with the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro Line 1 at Marol Naka station.
Starting today, 7th October 2024, the Aqua Line services opened to the public at 11:00 am, with the last metro departing at 8:30 pm. Regular services will begin tomorrow, 8th October, running from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm on weekdays and from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm on Sundays. During peak hours, trains will run every 6.5 minutes, while in non-peak hours, the frequency will be between 15 to 20 minutes.
To ensure smooth operations, 48 pilots, including 10 women, have been appointed for this phase. Each metro train consists of 8 coaches with a capacity to carry 2,500 passengers. The ticket fares range from ?10 to ?50, and it is estimated that around 4 lakh passengers will use the Aqua Line every day.
The Aqua Line’s first phase is expected to significantly reduce road traffic by 35%, cutting down approximately 6.5 lakh vehicle trips daily and saving nearly 3.54 lakh liters of fuel.
Mumbai has been eagerly awaiting this underground metro, which aims to make commuting easier and faster while reducing congestion on roads and local trains. The entire Aqua Line project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2024, with current completion status at 98%. The total cost of the project is ?37,275.50 crore.
The Aqua Line has been designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. Facilities include elevators with braille call buttons, wide elevators for wheelchairs, handrails inside the coaches, and audio-visual announcement systems to assist those with hearing and visual impairments. Emergency buttons and protective rubber kick rails for wheelchairs have also been installed.
Tickets for Mumbai’s first underground metro can be purchased through the MetroConnect3 app or at physical counters at the stations. The Aqua Line promises to transform urban transit in Mumbai, making it more efficient for everyone.
