Mumbai is on the verge of a major transport milestone as the 33.5-km Metro-3 Aqua Line from Colaba to Aarey Colony nears full completion. Authorities are aiming to launch the entire corridor by Dussehra, pending final safety clearances.

The project, executed in phases, has already brought relief to commuters. The first section between Aarey Colony and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) opened in October 2024, followed by the BKC–Worli stretch in May 2025. The final Worli–Cuffe Parade segment is currently under safety inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). A final review is expected before a formal nod for operations.

Once operational, the line will drastically cut travel times. A Colaba–Aarey trip that currently takes up to three hours in peak traffic will be completed in under one hour. Interchange stations at Mumbai Central, CSMT, Dadar and Churchgate will integrate the corridor with other metro lines and suburban rail, making it one of the city’s most vital transit backbones.

The Aqua Line is already recording strong ridership. Phase one alone has eliminated 6.5 lakh car trips daily, while the Worli–BKC stretch has attracted over 32,000 passengers within two days of launch. The complete line is projected to carry 13 lakh commuters daily, connecting business hubs such as BKC, Worli and SEEPZ with south Mumbai and the airport.