Mumbai Metro 3, the city’s underground Aqua Line, has recorded 7 crore passenger journeys in its first full year of operations, according to a Times of India report published on October 8. The 33.5-kilometre corridor runs between Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai and Aarey JVLR in the north, linking major commercial, airport and railway hubs.
The line has 27 stations, including 26 underground stations and one at-grade station. It operates from 5:55 am to 10:30 pm, with trains running at intervals of up to five minutes during peak hours. Fares on the corridor range from Rs 10 to Rs 70.
The passenger milestone places the Aqua Line among Mumbai’s most significant recent public transport additions. Its route passes through some of the city’s densest and most economically important areas, including Nariman Point, Vidhan Bhavan and Bandra Kurla Complex. The line also provides connections to several major railway terminals, including CSMT, Churchgate, Mumbai Central and Dadar.
A key feature of Metro 3 is its direct underground access to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The airport connection has added a rail-based option for passengers travelling between the city’s central and southern districts and the airport complex.
The corridor covers the Cuffe Parade-Aarey JVLR stretch in approximately 54 to 60 minutes, according to the report. Before the line became operational, journeys across these areas often depended on congested surface roads, including routes serving south Mumbai and the Western Express Highway. The metro provides an alternative to road-based travel for commuters, business travellers and airport users.
Metro 3’s first-year performance also highlights the importance of interchange-led planning in a city where employment, housing, airports and railway stations are spread across separate urban districts. By connecting commercial areas with multiple rail terminals and the airport, the corridor serves more than a single neighbourhood or travel market.
The line’s second year will begin with the existing corridor operating between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR. The current service schedule, peak-hour frequency, fare range and station network remain the principal operating features reported for the Aqua Line.
