Mumbai’s First Fully Underground Metro Line Is Now Open—Connecting South To North In Record Time

Mumbai’s Metro Line-3, popularly known as the Aqua Line, has become fully operational as of October 9, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city’s public transport infrastructure. The entire 33.5-kilometre underground stretch between Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai and Aarey JVLR in the north is now open to commuters. The first trains departed from both terminal stations promptly at 5:55 AM on the day of launch, according to officials.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the project as a milestone in India’s development and praised the engineers for safely constructing the metro amidst Mumbai’s bustling cityscape and heritage structures.

Seamless Travel Across Key Districts

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), which manages the project, had previously opened portions of the line. The final phase involved the completion of the last 10.99-kilometre section between Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli and Cuffe Parade, thereby completing Mumbai’s first fully underground metro corridor. This stretch boasts 27 stations and provides seamless connectivity across vital business districts, popular tourist locations, and densely populated residential areas.

The Aqua Line is anticipated to dramatically alleviate Mumbai’s notorious road congestion, cut down commuting times, and offer a comfortable, reliable alternative for daily travellers. Earlier phases saw the launch of the 12.6-kilometre Aarey to BKC segment in October 2024 and the 9.7-kilometre BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk stretch in May 2025.

With the entire corridor now operational, the Aqua Line—Mumbai’s very first fully underground metro line—promises to revolutionise urban mobility, enhancing access and convenience across the city’s sprawling metropolitan landscape.

Transforming Urban Mobility In Mumbai

The Mumbai Metro Line-3 project was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided loans amounting to JPY 354,132 million towards the total cost of JPY 680,692 million.

Connecting key locations such as SEEPZ, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Mumbai Airport, and Cuffe Parade, this metro line is set to transform daily commutes for hundreds of thousands of passengers, offering faster and more comfortable travel across the city. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the metro includes women-only coaches, facilities for people with disabilities, and stringent safety systems both on trains and at stations.

Overview Of Stations, Fare, And Schedule

Mumbai’s Aqua Line Metro, also known as Metro Line-3, features a total of 27 stations, with 26 of these being underground and one at-grade station. The line is divided into multiple phases, each connecting important parts of the city and improving commuter convenience.

Phase 1 covers stations from Aarey JVLR in the north to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), including key stops such as SEEPZ, MIDC-Andheri, Marol Naka, Sahar Road, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal 2 (T2).

Phase 2 continues from Bandra Kurla Complex and includes Dharavi, Shitala Devi Mandir, Dadar, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk.

The recently inaugurated Phase 2B extends the line further south, adding stations like Science Museum (Nehru Science Centre), Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, CSMT Metro (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and ending at Cuffe Parade.

Passengers can purchase single journey tickets, with fares starting at INR 10 and scaling up to INR 70 depending on the distance travelled. The first train departs from both terminal stations—Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade—at 5:55 AM, while the last trains leave at 10:30 PM, completing the journey by 11:25 PM.

Significantly, the Aqua Line provides direct metro access to both terminals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, serving travellers using the domestic (T1) and international (T2) terminals. This connectivity is expected to greatly enhance convenience for daily commuters and tourists alike.

FAQs

How many stations does Mumbai’s Aqua Line have?
It has 27 stations—26 underground and one at-grade.

Which areas does the Aqua Line connect?
It connects key hubs like Aarey JVLR, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Mumbai Airport, CSMT, and Cuffe Parade.

What are the operating hours of the Aqua Line?
The first train departs at 5:55 AM and the last at 10:30 PM from both terminals.

What is the fare structure for the Aqua Line?
Fares range from INR 10 to INR 70 based on the distance travelled.

Does the Aqua Line provide access to Mumbai’s airport?
Yes, it offers direct metro access to both the domestic (T1) and international (T2) terminals.