Mumbai's Aqua Line Metro Set to Transform Travel with Full Operation on 8 October 2025

Mumbai's long-awaited Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) is set to be fully operational on 8 October 2025, according to sources. This marks the completion of the city's first fully underground metro line, connecting Colaba to Aarey and promising faster, smoother travel across Mumbai. The final section from the Science Museum

to Cuffe Parade will be inaugurated on this date, completing the entire 33.5 km corridor. The Aqua Line's first phase commenced in October 2024, providing services between Aarey and BKC, and was subsequently extended to Acharya Atre Chowk earlier this year.

Mumbai's Aqua Line to Connect Stations

This new stretch includes 11 underground stations such as Mumbai Central, Girgaon, CSMT, Hutatma Chowk, and Churchgate, linking major business areas, residential zones, and historic landmarks of South Mumbai. Once the full line opens, passengers will be able to travel from Cuffe Parade to the Domestic Airport in just 45 minutes, a huge improvement over current road travel times. Built at a cost of ₹37,276 crore, the Aqua Line features 26 underground stations and one at-grade station. Although construction began in 2017, it involved more than 15,000 workers with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of India.

Mumbai's Aqua Line Faced Delays

Engineers completed 54.5 km of tunnelling, using 17 tunnel boring machines simultaneously, the largest such operation ever undertaken in India. Extra care was taken while working near heritage sites, including Hutatma Chowk and CSMT, to protect their historic structures. Although the project faced several delays due to tough geological conditions, monsoon challenges, and court cases about environmental and heritage issues, the completion of Metro Line 3 will mark a major milestone in Mumbai's urban transport network.