The much-awaited Phase 1 of Mumbai Metro Line 3 opens for public service today, October 7, after being inaugurated last week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This 12.5 km stretch connects the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Aarey JVLR, offering a crucial link between the city's business hubs and residential areas.
Route and Connectivity
The Rs.14,120 crore project connects both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Mumbai airport and links to the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro Line 1 at Marol Naka station.
Train Schedule and Fares
The first train departs at 6:30 a.m., with the last service at 10:30 p.m. On Sundays, services start at 8:30 a.m. Trains will run at intervals of 3-4 minutes. The minimum fare on the line is ₹10, while the maximum fare for Phase 1 is ₹50. Once the full Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey corridor is operational, the highest fare will be ₹70.
Daily Operations and Passenger Capacity
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) will operate 96 services daily between Aarey and BKC, with each train having eight coaches that can carry approximately 2,500 passengers. Once fully completed, Mumbai Metro Line 3, stretching 33.5 km, is expected to handle around 12 lakh passengers daily.
Stations in Phase 1
This phase consists of 10 stations, 9 of which are underground. The stations on Phase 1 include:
BKC
Bandra Colony
Santacruz
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) T1
Sahar Road
CSMIA T2
Marol Naka
Andheri
SEEPZ
Aarey Colony JVLR (the only elevated station)
Key Highlights
The first phase is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, cutting vehicular trips by an estimated 6.5 lakh and reducing road traffic along the route by 35%. Additionally, the project is expected to save approximately 3.54 lakh litres of fuel annually.
Trains on this line will operate at a top speed of 85 kmph, with an average running speed of 35 kmph.
Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRC, mentioned that 48 captains, including 10 women, will be responsible for train operations. A significant number of women will also be involved in the management and maintenance of the metro line.
Service Alert: Maintenance Work to Cause Delays on Delhi Metro This Sunday
Railway Minister Reveals Rs 60,000 Cr Investment Opportunity for West Bengal’s Rail Network
Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Set to Launch in October 2024: Everything You Need to Know
