MUMBAI: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the final segment of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, connecting Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade—a pivotal development in the city’s infrastructure.
The 10.99-km ‘Phase 2B’ is part of Mumbai’s first fully underground metro corridor, the Aqua Line, which spans a total length of 33.5 km, and will be fully operational from Thursday.
The prime minister inaugurated this segment virtually from Navi Mumbai, where he also opened the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
According to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), services across the complete underground corridor, stretching from Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai to Aarey JVLR in the western suburbs, will commence on October 9.
Modi remarked that the new airport and the underground metro will significantly enhance travel and connectivity in Mumbai, noting: “Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 is an important upgrade to Mumbai’s infrastructure. Metro connectivity is crucial for the growth of any city. This project will positively influence the lives of Mumbai residents,” he posted on X prior to the inauguration.
The first metro services from both Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade will begin at 5:55 AM and the last trains will leave at 10:30 PM, arriving at terminal stations by 11:25 PM.
As finishing touches were being applied at various stations, MMRC adorned all 11 stations from Cuffe Parade to Acharya Atre Chowk with flowers and garlands on Wednesday. The Cuffe Parade station, where the inauguration ceremony was live-streamed, was illuminated with vibrant lights.
Following Modi’s inauguration of phase 2B, a flower-adorned metro train departed for Acharya Atre Chowk, sounding its horn to cheers from a small group of passengers onboard.
Interestingly, the MMRC did not provide media access to the inauguration or any details regarding the new services, timetable, or ticket prices that would start early Thursday morning.
