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The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) is all set to open Phase I of the highly anticipated Mumbai Metro 3 corridor. This major event, scheduled for the first week of October, will introduce Mumbai to its first underground metro line. The new metro stretch will cover a 12 km distance from Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and feature 10 important stations along the route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating this project, which has been built at a cost of Rs 38,000 crore.
This inauguration is not only about starting a new metro line but also preparing for the future Thane Ring Metro project. The new line will make travel easier for people across the city, especially for those making long trips. After the ceremony, the metro will open to the public, allowing commuters to experience the benefits right away.
A senior official from MMRCL shared, "We are fully prepared for the inaugural run," showing excitement for this major event. The ceremony is expected to take place between October 3 and 5, with October 4 likely to be the chosen date. This opening will be a huge step forward in improving the city's transport system.
Enhancing Urban Connectivity
The first phase of the Metro 3 project will connect important suburbs of Mumbai, bringing the western areas closer to central and island city locations. Once the entire project is complete, the 33 km corridor will connect southern, central, and western Mumbai. This will make the daily commute faster and easier for millions of people.
The metro stations along this route, starting from Aarey Colony to SEEPZ, will serve key locations like Nariman Point, Fort, BKC, Santacruz, and Vidyanagari. The first phase will be operational in the next few weeks, with the entire project expected to be fully up and running by 2025. When completed, the Metro Line 3 will serve about 1.7 million commuters daily, with trains arriving every 3 to 4 minutes, each capable of carrying at least 2,500 passengers.
Overcoming Obstacles
The journey to this point has faced many challenges. The project was originally set for completion in 2021, but delays pushed the deadline to December 2023 and later to June 2024. The delays were caused by difficulties such as obtaining permission for tree-cutting at the Aarey depot and slow construction by a contractor, who faced penalties for the delays.
Despite these setbacks, the opening of Phase I of the Metro 3 corridor highlights Mumbai's determination to improve its transportation system. The new metro line will cut down travel times significantly, providing a modern and efficient alternative to road transport options.
Renaming of Stations
Ahead of the opening, several stations along the Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) Corridor will be renamed. These include stations like Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate Metro, Hutatma Chowk, and Kalbadevi, among others. The new names for these stations are expected to be revealed soon.
The Mumbai Metro 3 project is a big step forward for the city, offering residents a faster and more reliable way to travel. With the grand opening just around the corner, Mumbaikars are eagerly waiting to experience the benefits of this new metro line in their daily lives.
