{"id":14839,"date":"2025-10-25T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T07:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/?p=14839"},"modified":"2026-08-24T18:02:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:32:52","slug":"mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-colaba-to-seepz-route-opened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/metro-man\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-colaba-to-seepz-route-opened\/","title":{"rendered":"Mumbai Metro 3 Aqua Line: City\u2019s New Pride. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis\u2019s Determination Beat All Odds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mumbai\u2019s daily commuter volume is one of the highest in the world, with all types of transport plying across the city that never sleeps. Mumbai Metro is rapidly expanding to provide faster connectivity to new areas. However, for certain locations, like prime commercial zones with important buildings and infrastructure, overground metro corridors on elevated tracks were not recommended. Addressing this challenge, the city has added a new marvel to its existing infrastructure &#8211; a 33.5 km underground Mumbai Metro 3 (Aqua Line) corridor between Cuffe Parade in the south and Aarey Colony in the north. Being the first fully underground metro corridor of the city and the largest of its kind in India, the Aqua line is very special to Mumbai. The significance of this Metro route is that it connects six major business zones of Mumbai, namely Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Worli, BKC, MIDC, and Seepz and also the international airport, ensuring swift, comfortable, pollution free, and cheaper mass transit between them. Nearly 15 years after inauguration, the Aqua Line finally became fully operational in October 2025. While initial approvals and planning began under the Congress-NCP coalition, the project was practically stalled. After coming to power in 2014, Devendra Fadnavis played a critical role in reviving, funding, and pushing the Aqua Line (Line 3) through its most challenging development phases. We will break down the project journey into three key stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"India\u2019s Biggest Underground Metro is in Mumbai! | \u0926\u0947\u0936\u093e\u0924\u0940\u0932 \u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u093e\u0924 \u092e\u094b\u0920\u0940 \u0905\u0902\u0921\u0930\u0917\u094d\u0930\u093e\u090a\u0902\u0921 \u092e\u0947\u091f\u094d\u0930\u094b \u092e\u0941\u0902\u092c\u0908\u0924\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8poMcbPoOK8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-1024x536.webp\" alt=\"mumbai metro line 3\" class=\"wp-image-14844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-1024x536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-768x402.webp 768w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-1536x804.webp 1536w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-line-3-2048x1072.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Metro 3: The Situation Prior to October 2014\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The concept for Mumbai Metro 3 was first introduced in 2011. At that time, a 33.5-kilometer route stretching from Colaba to Bandra and onwards to SEEPZ (the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ line) was proposed. The plan involved a mix of underground and elevated sections for the line, though the design underwent several changes. Eventually, on June 27, 2013, the Central Government approved the proposal of a fully underground metro line in Mumbai, during a cabinet meeting and sanctioned a project cost of \u20b923,136 crore. The initial target was to complete the project by 2019. To ensure timely completion, a joint venture company\u2014Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC)\u2014was established with equal partnership between the Central and State governments. In 2014, the project received approval from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the then-State Cabinet. Subsequently, the foundation stone was laid in Andheri on August 26, 2014, and the project was formally inaugurated by the then-Chief Minister and the then-Union Minister for Urban Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>The Devendra Fadnavis Government Era (2014\u20132019)\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to October 2014, the Metro line 3 project was stuck in the paperwork; the actual implementation and shaping of the project took place during Devendra Fadnavis&#8217;s tenure, marking the beginning of a new era in Mumbai&#8217;s public transport system. Following the 2014 assembly elections, a BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government was formed in Maharashtra, and Devendra Fadnavis assumed the office of Chief Minister. Under his leadership, work on the Metro 3 project gained momentum. Fadnavis secured the necessary permits that had been pending with various central government departments. In 2016, the actual construction work got underway with him directing the concerned officials to complete the project as quickly as possible. In January 2018, tunneling operations began from Marol using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). By September of that same year, 1.26 km of tunneling had been completed, and the pace of the underground work accelerated. Subsequently, on August 16, 2019, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the rolling stock model for the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation and officially named the line the &#8216;Aqua Line&#8217;. Throughout this period, work on the project gathered speed, and the first underground metro transport system in Mumbai began coming into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"525\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">As we gear up for the flag off of the most awaited, most talked about addition to Mumbaikars\u2019 life &#8211; the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/MumbaiMetro3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">#MumbaiMetro3<\/a> 2B, here\u2019s a glimpse of the Aarey Car Depot, the Cuff parade cross over, the tunnels, the stations, the trains !<br>Few hours to go.. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@narendramodi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MumbaiMetro3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@MumbaiMetro3<\/a>\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/h8I7OAWnBT\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/h8I7OAWnBT<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Dev_Fadnavis\/status\/1975809901709361436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">October 8, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Resumption of the Project With Renewed Momentum: July 2022 to October 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the alliance achieving significant success in the 2019 assembly elections, a coalition government could not be formed. Driven by a desire for the Chief Minister&#8217;s post, the Shiv Sena severed its alliance with the BJP and formed a coalition with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). A newly formed Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition government came to power in the state, which saw cancellation or indefinite halt of several projects initiated by the previous Devendra Fadnavis led government. A prolonged debate broke out regarding whether the Metro 3 car shed should be located at Aarey or on salt pan land in Kanjurmarg. The next two and a half years, the state passed through the COVID-19 pandemic and the regime under the MahaVikashAghadi government, which saw no headway in the Metro 3 work. The project gained fresh momentum in July 2022 after the formation of the Mahayuti government 1.0. On August 10, 2022, the Mahayuti government approved the revised DPR (Detailed Project Report) , allowing work to resume at an accelerated pace despite the increased costs. That same month, on August 30, a successful trial run of the underground train of the Mumbai Metro 3 was conducted. In 2023, the necessary land parcel in Dharavi was leased for the project, and all corresponding administrative formalities were completed. After that we saw the inaugurations of different phases of the project in quick succession &#8211; the first phase (between Aarey colony and BKC) on October 5, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the second phase by CM Devendra Fadnavis on May 9, 2025, and the third and final phase (connecting Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade) again by PM Modi on October 8, 2025. Today, the Aqua Line is fully operational end to end, opening the door to more underground transport routes in the city, without affecting the overground infrastructure and transport systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-1024x536.webp\" alt=\"Mumbai Metro 3 Aqua Line\" class=\"wp-image-14848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-1024x536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-768x402.webp 768w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-1536x804.webp 1536w, https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mumbai-metro-3-aqua-line-maharashtra-2048x1072.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Mumbai Metro Line 3 Aarey Car Shed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Aarey car shed is a crucial component of Metro Line 3. he facility where metro coaches undergo maintenance and repairs. The shed is constructed over an area of \u200b\u200bapproximately 25 acres. Selection of Aarey colony for the location of the car shed sparked a heated political controversy. Besides the protest by a few NGOs on environmental grounds, some political parties too opposed the decision vehemently, although, the courts granted permission subject to specific conditions, citing the project&#8217;s necessity. Amidst this, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government decided to halt work on the Aarey car shed, proposing an alternative site at Kanjurmarg instead. The vital car shed work of the Metro line 3 was kept hanging between 2019 and 2022 due to indecision by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which led to a significant increase in project costs. In June 2022, a change of government occurred in the state, and the Mahayuti government assumed power. The new government lifted the stay on the Aarey car shed project and expedited its completion. The car shed is now operational, playing an important role in the functioning of Metro Line 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Phases of Mumbai Metro 3 (Aqua Line) Project\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>December 2011:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal of constructing a metro line on the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz route was considered in December 2011. It was decided to make some parts of this route underground and some parts elevated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>June 2012:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation selected a consultant to conduct a detailed survey of the project in June 2012. The consultant was given the responsibility of surveying the land, testing the soil, preparing designs, taking note of underground gas, water and electricity lines and studying the condition of nearby buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>June 27, 2013:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Union Cabinet approved a 33.5 km underground metro line from Colaba to Shipz. The cost of the project was also approved at Rs 23,136 crore. It was decided to complete the project by 2019. A joint venture, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), was formed between the central and state governments for this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>July 18, 2013:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the project was approved by the Union Cabinet, the Union Department of Urban Development also approved the project on July 18, 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>February 13, 2014:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mumbai Metro 3 was proposed by MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) to Mumbai Municipal Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>February 26, 2014:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra approved this project during a state cabinet meeting held on February 26, 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>August 26, 2014:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Union Minister for Urban Development laid the foundation stone for the project in Andheri. Actual work was scheduled to begin in December 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>October 31, 2014:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the advent of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the Congress-NCP alliance lost the assembly elections in Maharashtra, and a BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government was formed in the state. Devendra Fadnavis took the oath as the Chief Minister of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>May 2016:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to commence work on Metro 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>January 8, 2018:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work on the subway from Marol began using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). A large workforce comprising 250 engineers, technicians, and skilled workers was deployed for this task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>January 11, 2018:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Construction of a 200-meter-long tunnel for Metro 3 was completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>September 24, 2018:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 1.26 km tunnel was successfully completed. With the assistance of 250 engineers, technicians, and skilled workers, and progressing at a rate of 4.6 meters per day, the 1.26 km tunnel was finished in 259 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>August 16, 2019:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the rolling stock model for the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation. On this occasion, the Metro-3 line was named the &#8216;Aqua Line&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>October 14, 2020:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray&#8217;s proposal to construct a car shed at Kanjurmarg for both the Metro-3 and Metro-6 lines was rejected by the expert committee appointed by his own government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>January 21, 2021:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After reviewing the Uddhav Thackeray government&#8217;s decision to relocate the Metro-3 car shed, Leader of the Opposition Devendra Fadnavis wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding the construction of the car shed at Aarey, aiming to prevent the huge financial loss to the state that will eventually be borne by the citizens of Mumbai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>August 10, 2022:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The &#8216;Mahayuti&#8217; government approved the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Mumbai Metro Line 3 during a state cabinet meeting on August 10, 2022. Due to significant delays in the project, the government also approved the escalated costs. The project&#8217;s cost was initially sanctioned at \u20b923,136 crore; this figure has since risen to \u20b933,405.82 crore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>August 30, 2022:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first underground train trial run for the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor (Mumbai Metro 3) was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>June 28, 2023:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting to lease 3,308 square meters of land in Dharavi to the MMRDA for 30 years for Mumbai Metro Line 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>October 5, 2024:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of Mumbai Metro 3\u2014Asia&#8217;s largest underground metro (spanning 33.5 km)\u2014on October 5, 2024. This metro line will have the carrying capacity of 1.7 million passengers daily. The phase 1 stretch, from Aarey JVLR to Bandra-Kurla Complex, was completed at a cost of \u20b914,120 crore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>May 9, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Phase 2A of Mumbai Metro Line 3. On this occasion, the Chief Minister traveled by metro between the BKC and Siddhivinayak stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>October 8, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai Metro 3 line from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade. The entire Mumbai Metro 3 line is now operational at full capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/metro-man\/mumbai-metro-project-337km-network-devendra-fadnavis-government\/\">Mumbai Metro Network to spread over Greater Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis Government\u2019s 337 km Mumbai Metro expansion target<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mumbai\u2019s daily commuter volume is one of the highest in the world, with all types&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,121],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-metro-man","category-mumbai"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14839"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14851,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14839\/revisions\/14851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devgatha.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}