Mumbai Metro: MMRC Completes 60 Per Cent Track Laying Work For Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Corridor

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has announced that about 60 per cent of the track laying work has been finished on underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ).

The 33.5-km long Metro-3 corridor running along Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ is the first underground metro corridor of Mumbai.

The trial run for Metro-3, Aqua Line, began on 30 August. 

Phase 1 of the project has completed 82 per cent of its overall progress, according to MMRC. 

According to MMRC, the stations are ready by over 90 per cent and system work is done by 55 per cent under Phase 1, reports Indian Express.  

The head hardened (HH) rails are being set up for track laying work. When compared to regular rails, the HH rails can withstand pressure that is nearly 50 per cent higher. 

They are made in and imported from Japan.

The low vibration track (high attenuation) technology is reportedly being deployed for the first time in India.

Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Corridor

It consists of 27 metro stations out of which 26 will be underground and one at grade. 

The Mumbai Metro-3 is built in two phases. The first section of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 between Aarey Colony and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) will be operational by December 2023.

Nine underground stations will be built in Phase 1 out of a total of 26. These stations are constructed 20 to 29 metres below the surface.

And the second phase between BKC and Colaba would take another six months and may be completed by mid-2024.

This metro line will provide, for the first time, connectivity to the airport, Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Kalbadevi, Worli, BKC, airport, SEEPZ and MIDC.

Also, two crucial heritage stations in Mumbai — CSMT and Churchgate — will also be connected through the alignment.

Originally, the line's construction was scheduled to be completed in 2021. However, work delays caused the deadline to be missed, and the project cost increased from Rs 23,136 crore to Rs 38,000 crore.