Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line: MMRCL Sets Ambitious Target To Complete Mumbai's First Underground Metro Project By June 2024

The Colaba-Bandra-Special Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) Metro Line 3, also known as Aqua Line connecting North and South Mumbai is expected to be ready by June 2024, according to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL).

It is the first underground metro line in Mumbai and also one of the longest underground continuous stretches in India.

The underground Metro 3 runs for 33 km from Colaba to Aarey. The corridor is being built in two phases: from the Bandra Kurla Complex to Aarey (Phase I) and from the Bandra Kurla Complex to Colaba (Phase II).

According to the most recent MMRCL update, work on Phase 1 between Aarey and BKC is 87 per cent complete, with overall station construction at around 93 per cent complete. Phase 2 is approximately 77 per cent complete, with around 95 per cent of the work linked to the station and tunnel done.

“The first phase between Aarey to BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) is expected to be ready by December and the second phase between BKC and Cuffe Parade by June 2024,” said MMRCL official, reports ET Infra.

The Aqua Line connects Mumbai’s most congested regions and key financial hubs such as Nariman Point, Bandra-Kurla-Complex (BKC), Fort, Worli, Lower Parel and Goregaon.

Mumbai Metro-3 once operational shall ferry 17 lakh people/day reducing carbon emissions by approx 2.61 lakh tonne per annum.

Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line Metro Stations

The Metro Line 3 has 27 stations (26 under-ground and one at-grade) of which there are nine underground stations in Phase 1.

According to the MMRC, all stations are 250 metres long and 22 metres wide. These stations' platforms will be 180 metres long in order to accommodate eight coaches.

Another distinguishing aspect of the Metro 3 line's 26 stations is that they will be greater in size than normal stops.

Except for the Aarey Metro Station, all other nine stations in Phase 1 have more than 90 per cent of civil work completed and 50 per cent of system work completed, according to the MMRC official.

Track installation across Metro-3 alignment is happening at a faster pace. About 60 per cent of track installation has already been achieved (excluding depot).

Project Funding

Mumbai Metro Line 3 project is estimated to cost Rs 23,136 crore. Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) provided loan assistance worth Rs 13,235 crore.

Balance funding was made available by Government of India, Government of Maharashtra/Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in the form of equity and subordinate debt and the funds from MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd)

Metro Line 3 station construction began in July 2016.