The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) on Tuesday announced that the Aqua Line 3 had received approval from the commissioner of railway safety, and public operations of the line would commence on Thursday, October 9. Ahead of this, for the benefit of commuters, mid-day sheds light on the stations that comprise the long-awaited underground corridor.
The line has been opening in phases. The length of the entire stretch from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade is 33 km, with 27 stations, 26 of which are underground stations, while one is at-grade. On October 7, 2024, a 13-km stretch between Aarey JVLR and Bandra Kurla Complex opened, and another 9 km stretch from BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli opened on May 10, 2025. The final stretch, comprising 11 stations, will open on Thursday. The line has crossed the average passenger count of 70,000 per day.
The Kalbadevi Metro station on Tuesday
The eleven stations that will open on Thursday are Science Centre, Mahalaxmi, Jaggannath Shankar Sheth (Mumbai Central), Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and Cuffe Parade.
So far, Metro 3 commuters can travel up to Acharya Atre Chowk near the Worli BMC Engineering Hub. Beyond this point, the Metro crosses rail lines under the existing Mahalaxmi suburban railway station, and the Mahalaxmi Metro station is at the Saat Rasta junction close to the Monorail junction on Arthur Road (south).
From there, the line proceeds towards Jaggannath Shankar Sheth (Mumbai Central) station. This has entry-exit points near Nair Hospital, Maratha Mandir, and Mumbai Central railway station. It then moves towards Lamington Road with a station on the main road.
The line further passes through the crowded areas of Girgaon, where it is located on the busy Jagannath Shankarshet Road at Thakurdwar and Kalbadevi at Chira Bazar to arrive under Azad Maidan at CSMT, passing under DN Road to Churchgate, moving ahead to Vidhan Bhavan and finally to Cuffe Parade.
Expert Speak
Leila Kazi, specialist, economic affairs, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, told mid-day, “Metro Line 3 will span 27 stations, several of which are located near areas of deep historical significance in the shared modern history of India and Japan — namely Fort, Colaba, and Worli. The modern history between Japan and India finds its roots in Mumbai, and these neighbourhoods once hosted a vibrant Japanese community and remain symbols of our shared history. Now Metro Line 3 will be connecting our shared history and future Japan-India friendship.”
Service timings
First service from Aarey-JVLR & Cuffe Parade 5:55 am
Last service from Aarey-JVLR & Cuffe-Parade 10.30 pm ending at the terminal station at 11.25 pm
33 km
Total length of Aqua Line 3
