Just days before the much-anticipated opening of Mumbai’s flagship underground Metro-3 corridor, a technical breakdown forced the evacuation of passengers on Friday afternoon, raising concerns over the system’s preparedness for full-scale operations.
The incident occurred at 2.44 pm when a train approaching Santacruz on its way to Acharya Atre Chowk developed a snag and had to be halted. According to officials, the affected rake was later moved to the Bandra-Kurla Complex loop line for inspection. While services continued on the corridor, commuters reported delays and overcrowding, signalling operational stress even before the project’s formal launch. Authorities from the Metro Rail Corporation stated that passenger safety protocols were swiftly activated and emphasised that all other trains continued to run as per schedule. They maintained that the disruption was limited to one service and assured the public that reliability measures are being tightened ahead of the grand inauguration.
The 33.5-kilometre fully underground Metro-3 corridor, connecting Colaba, Bandra and SEEPZ, has been described as a game-changer for Mumbai’s north–south connectivity. Built at an estimated cost of over Rs 33,000 crore, the line has endured years of delay, legal battles and environmental concerns, particularly over tree felling in Aarey. Its opening is being positioned as a landmark moment in Mumbai’s sustainable transport push, with expectations of easing traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions from road vehicles. However, the breakdown just days before launch has amplified questions on system readiness. Urban mobility experts warned that if technical issues persist, commuter trust in the city’s expanding metro network may be undermined. Public transport activists noted that seamless operations are vital not just for ridership growth but also for ensuring a shift from private vehicles, which remains critical for Mumbai’s long-term climate goals.
During the forthcoming visit of national leadership, the Metro-3 corridor’s final stretch from Acharya Atre Road to Cuffe Parade is scheduled to be inaugurated alongside two other major infrastructure projects — the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the first phase of Metro Line-2B connecting Mandale to Chembur. Together, these projects are expected to redefine urban connectivity across the metropolitan region. For a city that already struggles with traffic snarls, pollution, and overburdened suburban rail, the stakes for Metro-3 are high. While the snag was contained and no passengers were harmed, the incident highlights the urgent need for robust testing and transparent communication to ensure smooth and safe services. The corridor holds the promise of shifting thousands of daily trips to cleaner, faster rail transit — but its credibility depends on the reliability demonstrated from day one.
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