Mumbai's Underground Metro Project to Finish by June 2024

The ambitious Aqua Line 3 project, a 33.5 km underground metro route connecting North and South Mumbai, is expected to be completed by June 2024. The project, running along the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor, will link major financial hubs such as Nariman Point, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Fort, Worli, Lower Parel, and Goregaon. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), the nodal agency overseeing the project, anticipates that the first phase, spanning from Aarey to Bandra-Kurla Complex, will be ready by December. The second phase, covering Bandra-Kurla Complex to Cuffe Parade, is projected for completion by June 2024. The Aqua Line 3 project is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 330 billion and has received funding from various sources, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Senior officials from JICA recently visited the under-construction MIDC station of Aqua Line 3 to assess the progress. JICA has provided Official Development Assistance of about Rs. 127.50 billion for the project thus far. Upon completion, the fully underground North-South metro corridor will comprise 27 stations and interchange points linking with Mumbai's suburban railway, Monorail, and existing Metro lines (Metro-1, Metro 2B, and Metro 6). The project is expected to cater to over 1.6 million daily commuters, significantly reducing travel time in the congested city. As per the latest update from MMRCL, Phase 1 construction progress between Aarey and Bandra-Kurla Complex stands at 87%, with station construction nearing 93% completion. Phase 2, covering Bandra-Kurla Complex to Cuffe Parade, is approximately 77% complete, with station and tunnel work reaching 95% completion.