Mumbai, May 10 – The Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, saw a significant extension on Saturday with the launch of services between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli. This expansion marks the beginning of Phase 2A of the metro line, enhancing connectivity in the city’s central business and residential districts.
Key Phase 2A Stretch Now Operational
Prior to this, the Aqua Line was operational only between Aarey JVLR and BKC. With Saturday’s extension, metro services now run from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk, covering a total of 20 km out of the planned 33.35 km corridor.The newly launched Phase 2A spans 9.77 km and features six key underground stations: Dharavi, Shitaladevi, Dadar West, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk. One of the engineering highlights of this section is a tunnel built through the rockbed beneath the Mithi River.
Inauguration and Ridership Update
The new stretch was flagged off on Friday by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) reported that services commenced at 6:30 am on Saturday, with trains departing simultaneously from Worli Naka and Aarey JVLR.By 8:00 pm, 26,758 passengers had used the metro services between Aarey JVLR and Acharya Atre Chowk. MMRC noted that this was a promising number, especially given that ridership is usually lower on Saturdays compared to weekdays. For context, daily ridership between Aarey JVLR and BKC stood at 15,911 on May 3 and 12,766 on April 26.
Service Schedule and Fares
The metro will operate from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, services will run from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm.Fares for the new Phase 2A segment range from Rs 10 to Rs 40, while a complete journey from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk will cost Rs 60. The corridor is being served by eight metro trains with a total of 244 servicesdaily. The headway between trains is 6 minutes and 20 seconds. Travel time between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk is estimated at 15–20 minutes, and 36 minutes from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk.
Enhanced Citywide Connectivity
This underground corridor significantly improves access to major commercial hubs such as Worli, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi from BKC, Mumbai’s premier business district. It also facilitates easier travel to religious and cultural landmarks like Siddhivinayak Temple, Shitaladevi Temple, Mahim Dargah, Shivaji Park, and Ravindra Natya Mandir.A commuter who travelled early in the day from Shitaladevi to Siddhivinayak noted on social media that many were still unaware of the expanded service, hinting at greater ridership potential in the coming days.
Final Stretch to Cuffe Parade Expected in August
CM Fadnavis also announced that the final leg of Metro Line 3, connecting Worli to Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai, is expected to be operational by August, which will complete the full 33.35 km stretch of the Aqua Line.With this launch, Mumbai’s metro network continues its steady expansion, joining other active lines such as Metro Line 1 (Ghatkopar–Andheri–Versova), Line 2A (Dahisar East–Andheri West), and Line 7 (Andheri East–Dahisar East), all serving the suburban regions.
