The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) achieved a major milestone with the successful long-distance trial run of Metro line-3, covering an eight-kilometre stretch between MIDC and Vidyanagari stations. During this test run, the train travelled a total distance of approximately 17 kilometres, ending at SEEPZ. This achievement represents a significant step in the completion of the infrastructure for this underground corridor, including tracks, power systems, rolling stock, and platform screen doors, according to an MMRCL spokesperson.

The Metro-3 corridor spans 33.5 kilometres, connecting Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ and featuring 26 underground stations and one at-grade station. The trial run is a crucial development for the project, which has faced controversy. MMRCL plans to commence services between Aarey Colony and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) by December 2023, with the second phase to Colaba expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Earlier in August 2022, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the short-distance trial for the first prototype rake. Subsequent trials were authorised based on the success of this initial run. The trains were manufactured at Alstom's facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, equipped with a regenerative braking system to reduce carbon emissions.

MMRCL has received eight out of nine trainsets needed for the first phase of operation, with the remainder expected by the end of the month.