Mumbai: Mumbai’s much-awaited monsoon made an early entrance on Monday, bringing with it heavy rainfall that threw the city’s transport systems into disarray. While waterlogging disrupted suburban trains and slowed road traffic, it also exposed the vulnerabilities of Mumbai’s newly operational underground Metro 3, known as the Aqua Line.
Waterlogging Reported At Acharya Atre Station
One of the major disruptions was at the Acharya Atre station, part of the BKC-Worli stretch inaugurated earlier this month. The station was flooded with knee-deep water following the downpour, prompting authorities to shut it down temporarily and evacuate staff.
Passenger services were reportedly suspended, raising safety concerns about the underground metro’s preparedness for monsoon conditions. However, the Mumbai Metro authorities are yet to come up with an official statement.
Congress MP Slams Authorities
The incident quickly sparked political backlash. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad shared a video of the flooded station on social media, criticising the authorities for their lack of preparedness. “The much-hyped underground metro is flooded on the very first day of rain. Water is leaking from the roof, flowing down the stairs. Does the government even care how dangerous this is?” Gaikwad questioned in her post. She further demanded accountability, calling for a serious review of safety checks and construction quality.
Phase 2 Of Metro 3 Recently Inaugurated
The BKC to Worli corridor, a 6-station underground stretch of Metro 3, was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 10. The full 33.5-km Aqua Line from Colaba to SEEPZ is slated to become operational by August, with a formal inauguration expected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once completed, the line will include 27 stations (26 underground and one at-grade) and is projected to majorly decongest road traffic and reduce the burden on the suburban railway.
Currently, eight trains make 244 daily trips along the operational stretch, with a train frequency of 6 minutes and 20 seconds. Fares range between Rs 10 and Rs 60, depending on the distance travelled. Despite its promise of a modern commute, the Aqua Line has been launched without mobile network coverage, which has already drawn criticism.
Early Monsoon Arrival For Mumbai, Orange Alert Issued
The timing of the disruption was especially unfortunate as Monday marked the official arrival of the southwest monsoon in Mumbai, nearly two weeks ahead of the usual June 11 date. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that this is the earliest monsoon onset for the city in 15 years. An Orange alert was issued for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the day.
