Mumbai Metro: MMRCL Aims To Have All Nine Rakes To Launch Phase I Services On Metro-3 By June 2023

By June 2023, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) aims to have all nine rakes required to launch Phase I services (Aarey-BKC) on the Metro 3 underground corridor (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz).  

The trial runs of the prototype rake for Metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz section) began on 30 August on a 3 km stretch between Sariput Nagar and Marol Naka metro station. 

The Alstom trains produced cars for a prototype train whose manufacturing plant is based in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

The first rake from Sri City this July arrived in Mumbai for trials. The prototype train is now undergoing its 'initial-design-proving' trial run.

The train being tested will go 2,000 km in total along a 3 km route. Speed, oscillation, and emergency brake distance are all being tested.

Managing Director of MMRCL Ashwini Bhide said, "a second rake will arrive by the end of November. Nine trains required for commissioning of phase I would be made available by June 2023, and the remaining will arrive by May 2024", as per Economic Times report. 

The depot construction, put on hold in October 2020, is now underway. MMRCL has revised the work schedule to ensure timely completion.

Facilities will be ready for Phase I operations by April.

MMRCL has ordered thirty-one rakes from Alstom. Each train will be placed on trial as soon as it arrives, according to Bhide. 

All the rakes, according to her, will fit in the metro three depot. Some rakes can also be stabled at stations if the depot's area is unavailable, she added.

Mumbai Metro Line 3

Metro Line 3 is a 33.5 km long underground corridor running along Colaba-Bandra-Seepz. The corridor length is marked with 27 key stations, out of which 26 will be underground.

Metro Line 3 would connect Mumbai's key financial hubs, such as Nariman Point, Bandra-Kurla-Complex, Fort, Worli, Lower Parel, Goregaon, etc.

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

Besides, two crucial heritage stations of Mumbai - CSTM and Churchgate, will also get joined through the alignment.

By 2023, MMRCL hopes to have finished building Metro Line 3. These trains will run on a 25 KV AC traction supply and have a maximum passenger carrying capacity of 2,350.

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