For the first time in decades, a rail-based transit system is entering South Mumbai. The much-awaited Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3, running all the way to Cuffe Parade, marks the return of trains to the city’s southern tip, 95 years after the Colaba station on the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (Western Railway) shut down.
With the new line set to be inaugurated on Wednesday, mid-day takes a look at how the Metro will connect with Mumbai’s existing suburban railway stations and other public transport links. The Metro 3 line has been designed for seamless integration with major suburban railway hubs, including Mumbai CSMT, Churchgate, Grant Road, and Mumbai Central, offering convenient interchanges for lakhs of daily commuters.
At Mumbai CSMT, access has been provided through the common BMC subway, while at Mumbai Central, the Metro entry and exit open directly inside the railway station premises near the approach area. At Churchgate, the Metro station is located just across the road, with entry/exit point B1 near the petrol pump behind Eros theater. Grant Road station, too, lies conveniently across the road from the Metro stop.
Status of connectivity at other key Metro 3 stations and their proximity to suburban railway stations
Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli): No direct suburban interchange. Nearest Western Railway stations: Lower Parel or Mahalaxmi, depending on destination.
Science Museum (Nehru Science Centre): No direct suburban link. Nearest station: Mahalaxmi (WR).
Mahalaxmi: Interchange available with the Monorail nearby.
Mumbai Central: Major interchange with Western Railway (suburban and long-distance). Designed for direct Metro-to-rail access.
Grant Road: Direct interchange with Western Railway’s Grant Road suburban station.
Girgaon: No direct suburban link. Nearest stations: Grant Road (WR) or Marine Lines (WR).
Kalbadevi: Nearest suburban station is Marine Lines (WR). Not a paid interchange, but designed as the closest WR access point.
CSMT (CST Metro): Interchange with Central Railway (CR) and Harbour Line at the CSMT mainline and suburban complex.
Hutatma Chowk: No suburban platforms. Located between CSMT and Churchgate — commuters can use either station.
Churchgate: Interchange with Western Railway’s Churchgate suburban terminus.
Vidhan Bhavan: No suburban railway link. Serves the Mantralaya and Nariman Point areas.
Cuffe Parade: No suburban interchange. Serves as the southern terminal, with a proposed extension to Navy Nagar under study.
