Mumbai’s much-anticipated Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, opened its latest extension to the public with an impressive turnout of 32,791 passengers on the very first day of operations.
The newly commissioned section connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli witnessed nearly half the ridership, a promising figure given that it was a weekend — typically slower than weekdays when commuter footfall peaks.The new stretch forms part of Mumbai’s first fully underground metro line, marking a major leap in sustainable urban mobility for a city struggling with road congestion and air pollution. The metro, which now runs between Aarey JVLR and Acharya Atre Chowk, includes vital stations such as Dharavi, Sitaladevi, Dadar, Siddhivinayak and Worli — significantly improving connectivity between the suburban corridor and Mumbai’s bustling central business and cultural districts.
The footfall observed on Day 1 not only signals commuter confidence but also validates the city’s long-term vision of shifting to mass transit systems as a solution to urban sprawl. The extension, which negotiates complex subterranean terrain including a passage under the Mithi River, is expected to drastically reduce travel time for office-goers between BKC and Worli, two key commercial nodes in the city.
Compared to previous weekends, the data shows a sharp uptick in ridership, with 15,911 passengers recorded last Saturday between Aarey JVLR and BKC, and just 12,766 the week before. This reflects the pent-up demand for metro access in areas underserved by existing transit options. With headways of 6 minutes and 20 seconds, and operations running from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm on weekdays, the new corridor promises to offer both convenience and efficiency to Mumbai’s daily commuters.From an urban planning perspective, the Aqua Line’s continued expansion is part of a broader agenda to make Mumbai’s infrastructure more climate-resilient and citizen-friendly. By reducing reliance on personal vehicles and thereby lowering carbon emissions, such metro projects are vital components of any modern city’s decarbonisation strategy. The line’s connectivity to prominent religious and recreational sites such as Siddhivinayak Temple, Mahim Dargah, Shivaji Park, and Ravindra Natya Mandir is likely to bolster leisure travel as well.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC), which operates Line 3, confirmed that the final phase connecting Worli to Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai is on track for completion by August. Once fully operational, the Aqua Line is expected to form the backbone of north-south metro travel across the city’s length.
In a metropolis where time is currency, the rapid adoption of Metro Line 3 on Day 1 reflects not just commuter enthusiasm but also an evolving public commitment to smarter, greener transit. The challenge now lies in sustaining that momentum and ensuring that infrastructure delivery matches the scale of Mumbai’s growing urban demand.
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