Mumbai Metro Line 3: Route Map, Stations And Facts

It is a beautiful dream for many people from all walks of life to move to Mumbai every year in search of a better life and good opportunities where they can settle, work, and many more things do in this city. That is why it is called the City of Dreams. This city of dreams boasts the best travel connectivity, thanks to its excellent highways and the Mumbai Metro. 

The latest addition to the fast-growing metro network is the Mumbai Metro Line 3. It is also called the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line or the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line. Once ready, the Mumbai Metro Line 3 will be 33.5km long and will have 27 active stations starting from Cuffe Parade to Aarey Colony.

This Metro line is operated by the MMRC (Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited); Mumbai-metro Line 3 is primarily slated to be an underground line announced as a collaboration between the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra on a 50-50 sharing basis. The metro line’s construction plan was approved in 2018 at Rs 23,136 crore.

JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is a Japanese financing firm contributing a majority of the project, i.e. 57.2% via an ODA loan of Rs. 13,235 crores with 30 years of repayment, 1.15% interest rate for project activities, and a 0.01% interest rate for consulting service. 

While the Metro Line 3 is often in the news due to its construction delays and protests, many people are still unaware of the details surrounding it. 

In this article, we will discuss the Mumbai Metro Line 3. So, scroll down for all the information regarding this line of the Mumbai Metro, such as route map and system specifications to ticket fares and construction status. 

Mumbai Metro Line 3-Opening Status:

The Mumbai Metro Line 3 is divided into two stages, Phase 1 and Phase 2. While Phase 1  (Aarey Colony to BKC) will be rolling out towards the end of 2023, there has yet to be an announcement for Phase 2, so we have to wait for its update (BKC to Cuffe Parade). Therefore, this is the current status of the Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Mumbai Metro Line 3-Key Facts:

Here are some key features of the Mumbai Metro Line 3, so take a look at these facts, which are mentioned in the table below:

Mumbai Metro Line 3-Route Map:

The Mumbai Metro Line 3 is designed to make traveling easier for commuters. It is well-connected at 8 spots with Railways, MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation), Metro Line 2B, and 1. It is Mumbai’s first and only fully underground Metro corridor, with 26 out of 27 underground stations. Check the Mumbai Metro Line 3 route map below.

Mumbai Metro Line 3-Stations:

Below is the list of stations that are added to this Mumbai Metro Line 3, starting from Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade, is mentioned below. Take a look at these stations of the Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Interchange Stations On The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line:

Multiple interchange stations connect passengers to other metro lines or railways in the 27-station route map of the Mumbai-Metro Aqua Line 3. This includes:

• SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone) station connects to the Mumbai-Metro Line 6. 
• The Churchgate metro station connects passengers to the Western line (Mumbai Suburban Railway).
• Marol Naka metro station connects to the Mumbai-Metro Blue Line 1. 
• Mumbai Central metro stations connect to the National Rail Network and Western line (Mumbai Suburban Railway).
• CSMIA T2 (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Terminal 2) Metro station connects to the Mumbai Metro Red Line 7. 
• Mahalaxmi metro station also connects to the Western line (Mumbai Suburban Railway) and the Mumbai Monorail.
• The CSMT metro station connects to 3 different lines. It includes the National Rail Network and the Central Line and Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. 
• The Marol Naka metro station connects to Mumbai-Metro Line 1. 
• BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) metro station connects to the Mumbai Metro Line 2. 

Mumbai Metro Line 3-Ticket Fare Collection:

There is still no announcement on the Mumbai Metro Line 3 fare structure as it is still being processed. However, the MMRCL will use an open-loop AFC (automated fare collection) system. It means that metro commuters can make contactless postpaid and prepaid payments via smart cards. They can also pay ticket fares using QR codes on their smartphones. 

The Infrastructure Of Mumbai Metro Line 3:

In September 2018, the MMRC granted a contract of EUR 315 million to Alstom Transport (a French transportation major)a French firm, and its Indian subsidiary to supply 336 coaches for Mumbai’s Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line.

 According to the contract, the agency will be responsible for various supplies for train sets, such as manufacture, design, supply, installation, and testing. The trains will seat approximately 300 passengers in each coach and have a seating capacity of 3,000 passengers. 

Interestingly, Mumbai Metro Line 3 has a Grade 4 automation level, which means it will be driverless. However, during its first year of operation, MMRC will employ drivers. 

The Metro Line 3 of Mumbai will use the Alstom Urbalis 400 CBTC (Communications Based Train Control) signaling system.

Impact Of Mumbai Metro Line 3 On Real Estate:

The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line (Mumbai Metro Line 3) is expected to change the real estate picture of Mumbai once this line becomes operational. Since the construction of Aqua Line 3 in 2017, many developers have expressed interest in projects along its routes. Five years later, i.e. 2023,  an upward trend in the prices of properties and projects near these routes was observed. 

Therefore, with the first phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3 set to launch in December 2023, various small-scale markets will likely benefit from this metro line in Mumbai. This includes the Central Business District (CBD) and Secondary Business District (SBD) North, West, and Eastern suburbs. 

As per experts, the prices of residential properties in Navi Mumbai and Thane will also boost or increase with the Aqua Line becoming operational. It will significantly improve the connectivity with the commercial hubs in SBD north and west of Mumbai City.

Latest News On Mumbai Aqua Line Metro (Line 3):

January 2023: The 2nd 8-Coach Trainset for Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Reaches Mumbai.

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 is undergoing a fast progression. The second 8-coach train manufactured in Andhra Pradesh reached Mumbai in the first week of January. It will undergo the required tests in a 5-kilometer stretch between the Sariput Nagar and Sahar ramps. 

Each coach in the eight-coach train weighs approx. 42 tonnes and traveled 1400 kilometers from Andhra Pradesh in ten days using a specially designed trailer vehicle. 

In other news, the MMRC (Mumbai Metro Railway Corporation) received an award on the Environmental Initiative of the Year Award at the TAI Tunnelling and Underground Space Awards 2022. 

December 2022: The rake Trial Run of the Mumbai Metro 3 Aqua Line Completes.

A prototype of the eight-car rake was running at different speeds, sub-systems, and equipment during a dynamic rake trial run and was completed successfully.

 The trial ran 3 kilometers from Aarey Sariput Nagar to the Marol station. Aside from the performance tests, the MMRA also tested the platform screen doors, telecom, and signaling of the brand-new Mumbai metro line. Soon the operations will begin on this metro line, so stay tuned for more updates.

Conclusion: 

Like the rest of the Mumbai Metro lines, Aqua Line Metro (Line 3) will improve connectivity throughout the other parts of the city and reduce passengers’ travel time. It will connect the Southern parts of Mumbai with the western suburbs through an underground corridor.

When completed, it will take nearly 7 lakh vehicles off the road, reducing massive congestion and traffic in the city as Mumbai has one of the worst traffics hope this metro initiative tries to prevent it and keep control.  

Mumbai’s Metro Line 3, also known as the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line, is still under construction and expected to be completed by the end of 2023. It will also be the longest metro line in India, spanning 33.5 km, with 27 active stations, both underground and elevated stations will be included.

The metro line was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 23,136 crore. It is expected to reduce travel time between the city’s two sides from 90 minutes to 21 minutes. It also promises to decrease air pollution and improve Mumbai’s overall quality of life.

The metro line has been designed to meet the highest international safety, reliability, and comfort standards. The entire line has modern signaling, telecommunication, and public address systems. All stations have escalators, elevators, ticket vending machines, and other passenger amenities. The metro line is expected to benefit over 1.2 million commuters every day. 

It is estimated to carry over 4.5 million passengers a day by 2021 report. The metro line is expected to generate an estimated 5.5 lakh jobs and significantly boost Mumbai’s economy. The opening of Metro Line 3 is a significant milestone in developing Mumbai’s public transport infrastructure.

It is expected to make the city more livable, reduce the burden on the existing road and rail networks, and reduce the city’s reliance on private vehicles. The completion of the metro line is expected to revolutionize the way Mumbai moves.