Project Overview

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line project is a metro project operated by MMRC (Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited). It is 33.5 km long with 27 stations (26 underground and 1 at-grade). It starts from Aarey JVLR in the North to Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai. It is also known as the Mumbai Metro Line 3 or Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line.

It connects South Mumbai to Western Suburbs, reducing travel time and easing congestion on the highways. It acts as a user-oriented transportation option for residents, office-goers, and tourists. 

Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Opening Date

The project is built in three phases with 26 underground stations and one at-grade station. Its first phase, Aarey Mumbai corridor to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), became operational on October 7, 2024. The second phase, which stretches from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Worli (Acharya Atre Chowk), became operational on May 10, 2025. The final phase of the project became operational on 08 October 2025.

Project Background

The concept for the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line was initiated in 2004, when planners proposed an underground route connecting Colaba and Bandra to relieve congestion on the city's overcrowded roads and railways. 

In 2011, the line was extended further north to SEEPZ, increasing its total length to 33.5 km. It is the first fully underground metro line from Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai to Aarey Colony in the north.

In June 2013, the Union Cabinet granted formal clearance for the project, followed by approval from the Maharashtra Cabinet in February 2014. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone on 26 August 2014. 

The construction work on the corridor commenced on 21st October 2016. It faced legal disputes, resulting in delays. 

In July 2016, seven major civil work packages covering tunnels and stations were awarded to international and Indian construction consortia. After mobilization, full-scale construction activities commenced in early 2017, and by October 2017, the first of 17 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) began underground excavation work.

Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Project Ownership Details

The Metro Line 3 project is being developed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC). It is a joint venture between the GOI (Government of India) and the GOM (Government of Maharashtra), each holding a 50% share.

Project Timeline

Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Route Map

Mumbai Metro Line 3: Aqua Line

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line is a 33.5 km-long underground tunnel, starting from Aarey JVLR in the north to Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai. It connects a total of 27 stations (26 underground, one at-grade), passing through key locations. 

These include Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 1, Santacruz, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Dadar, Worli, Acharya Atre Chowk, Mahalaxmi, Grant Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and terminating at Cuffe Parade. 

The Three Phases Of The Mumbai Metro Line 3

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line (also known as Mumbai Metro Line 3), is being developed in three phases. Below follows a detailed description:

Phase I: Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)

Phase I focuses on the metro construction between Aarey Colony and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). It is approximately a 13 km long stretch, covering 10 stations. It includes:

• Aarey

• SEEPZ

• MIDC

• Airport T2

• Marol Naka

• Sahar Road

• Airport T1

• Santacruz

• Bandra Colony

•  BKC
  

Operational since 7 October 2024, it connects key industrial, commercial, and airport hubs, significantly reducing travel time and easing congestion in Mumbai's north-west corridor. 

Phase II: BKC to Worli

The Phase II constructed a metro line between BKC and Worli. It is a nearly 10 km long underground stretch, including six stations. These include:

• Dharavi, 

• Shitaladevi Temple

• Dadar West

• Siddhivinayak Temple

• Worli

• Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka). 

It has been in operation since 10 May 2025 and incorporates modern amenities, including escalators, elevators, platform screen doors, and driverless compatible trains running every 6 minutes and 20 seconds. 

Phase III: Worli to Cuffe Parade

Phase III of the project is approximately 9.5 km long, an underground stretch connecting Worli to Cuffe Parade. It includes 11 stations, namely:

• Science Museum

• Mahalaxmi

• Grant Road 

• Girgaon 

• Kalbadevi 

• CSMT 

• Hutatma Chowk 

• Churchgate 

• Vidhan Bhavan 

• Cuffe Parade

Initially, the project expected its Phase III inauguration by September 30, 2025. But it got delayed. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 8 October 2025. 

The operation of the third phase marks the completion of the 31 air-conditioned driverless trains, which reduce travel time across the city and significantly ease congestion while linking suburban rail, monorail, and metro networks. 

Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Project Cost

The total estimated cost for the construction of the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line is INR 37,270 crore (approximately USD 4.24 billion). It includes the cost for the underground tunneling and stations construction, procurement and installation of trains and signaling systems, and cost escalations due to delays and complexities.

JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is financing 57.2% of the project through an ODA loan of INR 13,235 crores. The loan includes a 30-year repayment period, a 1.15% interest rate for project activities, and a 0.01% interest rate for consulting services.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project Contractors

Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project Investors

Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Project Expansion

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC) has planned to expand the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line to Navy Nagar in Colaba, Mumbai. The plan for this 5 km expanded stretch was announced in November 2023. The approval from the state and central government is still pending. 

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the metro expansion plan has been submitted to the relevant authorities. According to the officials, the aim is to improve metro connectivity to the Navy Office in Mumbai. 

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line:

• Improved connectivity: The Mumbai Metro Line 3 provides direct access to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminals 1 and 2) via dedicated stations, easing airport commutes. 
  

• Reduced Traffic Congestion: Reduces peak-hour traffic on Mumbai's congested roads by providing a high-capacity metro.
  

• Divert commuter volume: The project expects to serve 17 lakh passengers daily by 2031, diverting significant commuter volume from buses and private vehicles.
  

• Reduce Travel Time: It reduces travel time by serving a fast and uninterrupted underground connection, covering the entire 33.5 km stretch in 60 minutes, compared to 120-180+ minutes by road during peak traffic. 
  

• Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions: The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line project promotes public transport, reducing 3.5 lakh tonnes of CO2 annually.
  

• Boost public transport: The metro line is designed to handle around 1.3 million passengers daily, easing Mumbai's public transport demand. 

Conclusion

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line project is a metro infrastructure project connecting South Mumbai to Western Suburbs and reducing congestion on the highways. It is a 33.5 km long corridor comprising 26 underground and one at-grade station. It is being developed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC). 

The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line starts from Aarey JVLR in the north and ends at Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai. It is also known as the Mumbai Metro Line 3 or Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Line. The project is being developed in three phases, with the final phase operational since October 2025.

Approximately 1.6 million passengers will ride the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line daily, cutting commute times by up to half and significantly reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. Besides easing urban mobility, it symbolizes Mumbai's advancement toward a modern, sustainable transit ecosystem competitive with global metro systems in efficiency and design. 

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