Aarey to BKC in 30 minutes for Rs 50: Phase 1 of Metro Line 3 set for October opening

Ashwini Bhide, managing manager of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL), which oversees the Metro 3 project, confirmed connected Tuesday the upcoming launch, stating that the inauguration is expected successful aboriginal October.

The archetypal phase, covering 12.44km with 10 stations, volition run from 6:30am to 10:30pm, offering 96 regular trips. The minimum fare connected the way volition beryllium acceptable astatine Rs 10 and maximum volition beryllium Rs 50 betwixt Aarey and BKC for a one-way trip.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to emblem disconnected Metro Line 3 during his sojourn to Mumbai. However, the MMRC authoritative did not corroborate thing stating that the connection from authorities authorities connected the aforesaid is yet to beryllium received.

While initially, 9 rakes with 8 coaches each volition ply connected this stretch, the frequence of trains is expected to summation particularly aft the afloat agelong is made operational by April oregon May 2025.

Bhide stated that a regular ridership of 4.5 lakh passengers successful Phase 1 is expected, portion the optimum capableness is 6.5 lakh ridership. However, the 4.5 lakh ridership volition instrumentality clip to build. While connected the full 33.5km underground corridor enroute to Aarey and Cuffe Parade, the regular mean ridership is expected to beryllium 13 lakh.

Last-mile connectivity, airdrome access

Bhide addressed concerns astir last-mile connectivity, explaining that contractors moving connected civilian operation are besides liable for processing connectivity astir stations which is already happening. The MMRCL is coordinating with different agencies, including BEST and the transport department, to integrate bus, auto, and different transport services. While implicit integration whitethorn not beryllium disposable connected time one, MMRCL plans to show commuting patterns and marque adjustments accordingly.

The Metro volition besides link to some Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Mumbai airport, though seamless integration astatine these locations volition instrumentality time. The Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL) is presently constructing multi-level structures astatine these stations, expected to beryllium completed wrong one-and-a-half to teo years. In the interim, baggage carts, and wide signage volition assistance commuters navigate betwixt the Metro and the airport.

BKC Metro station: A paid country to paid skywalk with travelators is projected to link Metro Line 2B ITO presumption to BKC Metro presumption for commuters.
CSMIA Terminal 1 station: A pedestrian walkway astatine roadworthy level volition link CSMIA Terminal 1 presumption straight to CSMI Airport Terminal 1. In addition, a subway connecting crossed occidental road is facilitated.

CSMIA Terminal 2 station: A paid-to-paid transportation astatine concourse level is projected for transportation of CSMIA Terminal 2 presumption with Metro Line 7A station. Seamless connectivity with CSMIA T2 and Metro presumption is projected astatine airdrome forecourt level.

Marol Naka Metro station: Ground-level entree volition link Marol Metro Station with Metro enactment 1 Marol Naka Metro station. Entry/exit of some the stations are astatine the aforesaid footpath, frankincense helping successful casual transfers betwixt Metro stations.

Aarey JVLR Metro Station: Sky Walk connecting unpaid to unpaid Aarey JVLR Metro Station with Metro Line 6 SEEPZ Village presumption is proposed.

Why underground?

The determination to conception Metro Line 3 underground was driven by Mumbai’s unsocial municipality scenery and abstraction constraints. “Globally, halfway metropolis areas are often connected by underground Metros to debar disturbing ground-level activities,” Bhide explained. In Mumbai, with its dense colonisation and constricted roadworthy space, elevated tracks were not a viable option, particularly successful the historical and heavy commercialized areas of South Mumbai.

Additionally, the proximity to the airdrome meant the enactment had to debar aerial funnels and formation paths, necessitating an underground solution.

Challenges, triumphs

Building Mumbai’s archetypal afloat underground Metro has been a analyzable and challenging task. With constrictive lanes, practice structures, and densely populated areas, MMRCL faced galore hurdles. The task required meticulous readying from the plan signifier to funding, tender preparation, and construction. The deployment of 17 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) was peculiarly challenging owed to the request to navigate beneath existing infrastructure similar railways, flyovers, and inferior lines.

Despite these obstacles, the MMRCL is bringing the task to a adjacent and is eyeing for an October opening. As Bhide noted, the Metro 3 enactment is simply a captious infrastructure improvement for Mumbai, offering much-needed connectivity without disrupting the city’s fast-paced commercialized activities.