By Manjiri Joshi,News18

Copyright news18

In the past few years, every chat around Mumbai infrastructure has had one key mention – the Metro network. Inch by inch, phase by phase, the project is changing how Mumbaiites travel. And the one name associated with the project is that of Mumbai’s Metro woman – Ashwini Bhide, MD, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).
As Mumbai Metro-3, the Aqua Line, gets ready for a launch, News18 Lokmat spoke to Bhide about the challenges in the making of the city’s first underground Metro.
“In case of underground Metro, the challenges were bigger. Mumbai has not seen such a massive intervention ever. The 33.5-km Mumbai Metro-3 line had almost 56-km long two tunnels. The line passed through busy areas of the city, went under dilapidated building and high-rises. Initially, people were sceptical or even negative towards it. But we did it! And the cooperation of Mumbaiites played a key role in it.”
EXPLAINED | Mumbai Metro-3 Till Cuffe Parade Soon: How Was Tunnel Under CSMT, Flora Fountain Laid?
News18, in a detailed explainer, had highlighted the challenges in building tunnels for Mumbai Metro lines. For instance, in case of Mumbai Metro-3, the line passes under CSMT, Flora Fountain and Marine Drive. So it required detailed geotechnical surveys and vibration monitoring to avoid structural damage. To avoid existing rail lines (WR & CR), sewerage lines, gas mains, telecom ducts, and storm drains, the tunnels had to be deeper. Waterproof tunnel segments, sealing rings, and real-time groundwater pressure monitoring had to be used to reduce flooding risk.
When asked about the term ‘Metro woman’ given to her, Bhide said, “It shows people’s sentiments…There is a huge team behind this. One person can’t do anything.”

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Bhide said her five-year stint at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) helped her develop an understanding of handling major urban projects. Bhide called her mother the Durga in her life for encouraging her to pursue her dreams.
Known as the Aqua Line, Metro 3 is Mumbai’s first fully underground corridor, which has 27 stations (26 underground + one at grade) between Cuffe Parade (Colaba) and Aarey.
While 12.69-km phase 1 from Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) was inaugurated on October 7, 2024, the BKC to Worli phase 2 was launched on May 9, 2025. The phase one has 10 stations — BKC, Bandra Colony, Santacruz, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) T1, Sahar Road, CSMIA T 2, Marol Naka, Andheri, SEEPZ and Aarey Colony JVLR (the only station at grade). The phase 2 passes through six stations — Dharavi, Shitaladevi Temple, Dadar, Siddhivinayak Temple, Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka).
The third phase, the last one between Worli and Cuffe Parade which will make the entire line operational, is set to be inaugurated soon. The 10.99-km phase has following stations — Science Museum, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, CSMT, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, Cuffe Parade.