Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Phase-II B of Mumbai Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line), city`s first fully underground corridor.
Stretching 33.5 km from Aarey to Cuffe Parade, the Mumbai Metro-3 features 27 stations and is designed for 95-kmph speed.
The newly inaugurated Phase II-B, stretching 10.99 km from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, includes 11 underground stations and aims to improve access to South Mumbai’s key administrative and commercial hubs. This phase alone has been developed at a cost of Rs 12,195 crore, forming part of the larger Rs 37,276 crore Line-3 project.
The corridor is expected to reduce travel time, cutting the commute from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR to under an hour. It also enhances connectivity to important locations such as the Bombay High Court, Mantralaya, RBI, BSE, CSMT, and Churchgate, while integrating with existing metro, suburban rail, and bus networks.
The service is designed to operate trains every five minutes and is projected to reduce the suburban railway load by 15 per cent, eliminate over 6.6 lakh daily road trips, and save 3.5 lakh litres of fuel per day. It will also improve access to over 30 educational institutions, 13 hospitals, and multiple recreational spaces.
Recognised as one of India’s most complex infrastructure projects, 17 tunnel boring machines were simultaneously deployed for the construction of the corridor, which is a national record.
Technological highlights include low-vibration twin-booted tracks, driverless trains, and a fully air-conditioned and accessible design, including platform screen doors for passenger safety.
The line also supports National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) use, enabling contactless travel across multiple transport modes. On the environmental front, the project has undertaken mangrove restoration, planted more than 23,000 trees and ensured rehabilitation for nearly 2,700 displaced families, including ownership flats and rental assistance.
With this launch, Mumbai’s Aqua Line becomes the first metro to enter the city’s island core.
Following the inauguration, PM Modi praised the Phase-II B corridor, calling it a big step forward for the city`s infrastructure and public transport.
In a post on X, PM Modi said that this new metro stretch would greatly help improve connectivity and quality of life in Mumbai. He added that metro systems are important for a city’s growth and this project would benefit the whole Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
PM Modi also said the project would help boost business, ease traffic, and improve ‘Ease of Living’ for the city’s people. The final phase connects Cuffe Parade to Acharya Atre Chowk, covering important areas like Marine Drive, Fort, and Nariman Point.
