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Mumbai: Mumbai’s latest engineering marvel, the underground Metro Line 3 is on the verge of taking a major leap forward, with the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) beginning the final safety inspections for the 9.77-km stretch between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli. If all goes according to plan, this vital leg of the Aqua Line could be operational for the public as early as next week, as per reports.
Currently, Metro Line 3 is functional between Aarey JVLR and BKC, covering 12.69 km since its partial launch on October 7, 2024. The new stretch, phase 2A, between BKC and Worli, once cleared, will extend service and ease travel across the city. The final 13-km segment, stretching up to Cuffe Parade, is expected to be completed by July 2025.
Phase 2A To Connect BKC And Worli Via Dharavi & Dadar
The upcoming segment includes strategically located stations such as Dharavi, Sitaladevi, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk. One of the most remarkable aspects of this phase is the section passing beneath the Mithi River, marking a significant engineering achievement in urban infrastructure.
According to reports quoting officials close to the project, the CMRS team initiated preliminary inspections on Monday. “They visited the alignment earlier this week and are scheduled to conduct a full-scale inspection around April 10. If everything is in order, services could commence by this weekend or early next week,” reported Hindustan Times quoting a source.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), responsible for executing the project, has already submitted all required documentation to the CMRS. An essential safety clearance from the Independent Safety Assessor was also received in March. During the inspection, the CMRS team will assess civil structures, tracks, power systems, signaling, emergency response mechanisms, and overall operational safety.
While MMRC has not officially announced a launch date, anticipation is building across the city. Once the BKC–Worli stretch becomes operational, it will enhance access to key commercial zones like SEEPZ, MIDC, Andheri-Kurla Road and BKC, as well as major residential and cultural landmarks such as Siddhivinayak Temple, St. Michael’s Church and Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi’s dargah.
The fare for a one-way journey from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk is set at Rs 60. With all 16 stations expected to be commissioned by mid-2025, ridership is projected to see a major surge, transforming daily commutes across the city.
