Mumbai’s first fully underground metro corridor — the Aqua Line (Line 3) — is set to welcome commuters on its second operational stretch, Phase 2A, from Saturday. The new stretch connects Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Worli at Acharya Atre Chowk through a 9.77 km route, significantly cutting travel time across this busy corridor.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a ride on the newly completed underground section from BKC to Siddhivinayak station on Friday afternoon. CM Fadnavis announced that the final stretch of Line 3 — from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade — will be operational by August.
Key Highlights of Phase 2A
- Travel Time: BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk in just over 15 minutes
- Train Frequency: Every 6 minutes and 20 seconds
- Daily Trips: 244 using eight trains
- Fare Range: Rs 10 to Rs 40, depending on distance
- New Stations: Dharavi, Shitaladevi, Dadar West, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk
The new stations improve access to key cultural and commercial hubs including Siddhivinayak Temple, Shivaji Park, and Ravindra Natya Mandir, while enhancing connectivity between BKC and Worli, two major business districts.
“An Engineering Marvel”
Calling it an “engineering marvel”, CM Fadnavis emphasized the complexity of constructing an underground line beneath densely populated areas and challenging terrain, such as the Mithi River and Girgaon. The Colaba-BKC-Aarey Line is also the longest underground metro line in India.
26 Stations, Airport Access & Future Expansion
The complete Line 3 route will feature 26 stations, each with multiple entry points, and offer direct connectivity to Mumbai Airport. CM Fadnavis also revealed plans for expanding Mumbai’s metro network by 50 km over the next two years.
Unified Ticketing System in Trial Phase
A unified ticketing system — allowing commuters to travel across metro, monorail, local trains, and BEST buses with a single smart card — is currently being trialed. If successful, it will be implemented across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Travel App for Commuters
The government also announced a new travel app to help users plan journeys across public transport options. It will provide real-time transit information and route suggestions. Additionally, BEST bus services will be integrated with Google Maps, allowing users to track arrival times and bus locations with ease.
