Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Mumbai: India's most complex and challenging underground metro project - Mumbai Metro Line-3 - is scheduled to start running from Saturday.
Also known as Colaba–Bandra-SEEPZ or the Aqua Line - the project has faced several hurdles and is one of the most technically-challenging infrastructure projects being undertaken in Mumbai.
The route connects business, commercial, banking and entertainment hubs like Nariman Point, Fort, Bandra Kurla Complex, Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Phase-1 of the project from BKC to Aarey Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road on Saturday.
PM Modi will also take a ride in the metro between BKC and Santacruz stations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are set to accompany Modi.
The 33.5 km-route is expected to transform Mumbai’s transportation.
The Phase-1 of the project between Aarey Colony and BKC, the Aarey Carshed and Aarey Station will be commissioned by September-end.
The second phase is between BKC and Colaba, which is expected to be commissioned in 2025.
Metro-3 will cater to 17 lakh passengers daily with an unfailing frequency of 3 to 4 minutes, ferrying approximately 2,500 passengers at a time.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is the nodal agency for the project.
The total project cost is expected to be around Rs 38,000 crore.
Once fully complete, it would ensure a commute from Colaba to SEEPZ within one hour - and would run on the North-South and South-North direction like the suburban networks of Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR).
The route has stations near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Churchgate, the headquarters of CR and WR and also Dadar where CR intersects with WR.
It will ensure easy access to over 30 educational institutes, 13 hospitals, 14 religious places and over 30 recreational facilities.
“It will provide connectivity to the areas hereto not connected with suburban rail like Kalbadevi, Girgaum, Worli and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport,” officials said.
It will integrate with other Metro lines, Mono rail, Suburban railway and ST Bus Services and will also reduce congestion on suburban railways by 15 per cent.