By Manjiri Joshi,News18

Copyright news18

Mumbai Metro line 3 Aqua: With PM Narendra Modi set to inaugurate the final stretch of 33.5-km Mumbai Metro-3 on September 30 on the occasion of Dussehra, travel from south Mumbai to the suburbs is set to get smoother.
The PM’s inauguration of the 10.99-km section from Worli to Cuffe Parade means Mumbaiites will be able to travel from Aarey to Colaba in one hour, saving their one-two hours. The Worli to Cuffe Parade distance will be covered in 15 minutes.
EXPLAINED | Mumbai Metro-3 Till Cuffe Parade Soon: How Was Tunnel Under CSMT, Flora Fountain Laid?
The trial runs for the north-south connector have been going on since April and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has given the safety clearance. The full line is projected to serve up to 13 lakh passengers/day impacting air quality and commute experience across southern-central Mumbai.

Mumbai Metro line 3 Aqua CSMT Station pic.twitter.com/xmuANcJXGk
— DNT (@haldilal) September 10, 2025

Mumbai Metro-3: Full list of stations, route map, start and end points of Mumbai’s first underground Metro line
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.
The work and opening was done in phases:
Phase 1 – Aarey Colony to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC): The 12.69-km phase, which cost Rs 14,120 crore and was inaugurated on October 7, 2024, 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).
Phase 2 – BKC to Worli: The 9.8-km phase, which cost Rs 9,500-10,000 crore and was inaugurated on May 9, 2025, has six stations — Dharavi, Shitaladevi Temple, Dadar, Siddhivinayak Temple, Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka).
Phase 3 – Worli to Cuffe Parade: The 10.99-km phase three, which was built at a cost of Rs 9,785 crore and which will be inaugurated on September 30, 2025, has the following stations — Science Museum, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, CSMT, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, Cuffe Parade.

? Mumbai Metro Schedule Update:
?️Effective 15th Sept 2025 (Monday)
? First train departs at 05.55 hrs from Terminal Stations i.e., Aarey JVLR & Acharya Atre Chowk (Earlier:06.30 am)
➡️Last train continues to depart at 22:30 hrs
Travel efficiently. Stay punctual.
? मेट्रो… pic.twitter.com/4vZX4BA9Ab
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) September 14, 2025

Mumbai Metro-3 timings
From September 15, 2025 (Monday), the first train departs at 05.55 hrs from Terminal Stations i.e., Aarey JVLR & Acharya Atre Chowk. Last train continues to depart at 22:30 hrs.
While phase 1 ran with about 8-9 rakes giving 96 round trips daily between Aarey and BKC, phase 2 pushed up the services to 244 daily operated by 8 trains/rakes.
Each eight-coach train carries up to 2,500 passengers with a speed of 85 km/h and an average of 35 km/h.
Mumbai Metro-3: Train frequency
Peak hours: Every 6-6.5 minutes
Non-peak hours: Trains every 15-20 minutes

Why Mumbai Metro-3 is a timesaver for a city always on the move
Aarey to Cuffe Parade: 60 minutes. It currently takes 120-180+ minutes to cover the stretch by road during peak traffic.
BKC to Worli: 13-15 minutes. The commute takes 45-60 minutes by road.
EXPLAINED | Mumbai Metro-3: The Travel Upgrade & Traffic Respite Colaba, BKC, Worli Officegoers Were Waiting For
Andheri to Cuffe Parade: 45-50 minutes. The commute takes 90-120 minutes by road.
CSIA T2 to BKC: 10-12 minutes. The commute takes 30-45 minutes by taxi.
A case in point: Earlier, to go from Andheri to Fort or Cuffe Parade, commuters had to:
Take the Western Express Highway-Mahalaxmi-Peddar Road-Marine Drive OR switch between autos, buses, trains, and taxis. This meant a trip of 90 minutes with two-three different modes of transport. It will now be one ride.
How to book Mumbai Metro-3 tickets online and offline
Purchase options: Station counters, ticket vending machines, MetroConnect3 app, or QR tickets, RuPay National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) or Mumbai 1 card.

प्रवाशांसाठी एक आनंदाची बातमी! ११ जून पासून अ‍ॅक्वालाईनवर एनसीएमसी कार्ड वापरता येणार आहे. यामुळे तुमचा प्रवास अधिक सोयीस्कर होईल.
Passengers will be able to use the NCMC card on the Aqualine starting from 11th June. This card will make your travel seamless.#Aqualine… pic.twitter.com/Th5honZOFC
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) June 11, 2025

What are Mumbai Metro-3 fares?
Phase 1 (Aarey-BKC): Rs 10-50
Phase 2 extension (Aarey-Acharya Atre): Fare up to Rs 60
Full corridor (Aarey-Colaba): Rs 70

MMRC offers seamless network connectivity from Aarey JVLR to Bandra Kurla Complex
Mumbai, October 06, 2024: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) will provide network connectivity to its commuters to improve their travel experience on Metro Line-3 from Aarey JVLR to BKC station.…
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) October 6, 2024

Mumbai Metro-3 connectivity with Line 1, Line 2B, Line 6 and other modes of travel
CSMIA airport T2 through an FOB: Mumbai Metro-3 on August 15 launched its 100-metre foot overbridge from CSMIA–T2 Metro Station connecting Mumbai Metro-3 and T2.
Other Metro lines: Line 1 at Marol Naka (adjacent station exit; short walk); Line 2B at BKC/ITO (planned skywalk); Line 6 (Pink) at Aarey JVLR (under construction).
Railways: Marol Naka from Ghatkopar station (800-m walk); Santacruz on Western Railway (800 m); Dadar/CSMT interchanges under development
Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will be linked to two Metros – Metro-3 or the aqua line through a tunnel at Bandra-Kurla Complex and 2B via a foot overbridge (FOB).

Good news for flyers!
No more rushing through traffic before your flight!
Now, from #CSMIA–T2 Metro Station → Airport Terminal-2 in just a few steps ???
The newly built 100-meter Foot Over Bridge constructed by #MMRDA connects Lift Entry/Exit A1 at ground level straight to… pic.twitter.com/ubnn8ckKHe
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) August 14, 2025

How Mumbai Metro-3 connects Borivli, Dahisar to Colaba via BKC? Links to Line 7, 2A and 1
Those coming from Dahisar East can take Metro-7 and get off at Gundavli. Change over to Metro-1’s (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) Western Express Highway station. It is a five-minute walk between Metro 7 and Metro-1 through a 58-metre foot overbridge. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 which will take you to BKC or further to Worli and Colaba.
EXPLAINED | Mumbai Metro-3 Tour: Siddhivinayak Temple, Worli To CSMT, Iconic Spots The Aqua Line Will Pass Through
Those coming from Borivli West, can take Metro-2A from Borivali West and get off at Andheri West. Change over to Metro-1’s DN Nagar station. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 and head to BKC, Worli or Colaba.
Mumbai Metro-3: Why officegoers and Mumbaiites are relieved
Phase 1: Cut 650,000 car trips daily, reducing road congestion by 35% and saving 3.54 lakh litres of fuel/day.
Phase 2A: With over 32,000 passengers/day within two days of launch, connecting key business hubs (BKC, Worli, Dadar).
It is directly connected to business hubs such as SEEPZ, MIDC, BKC, Worli, Lower Parel, Fort, Cuffe Parade. Railway interchanges at Dadar, Mumbai Central, Churchgate, and CSMT make switching faster.
Line 3 does not have to bother with road congestion, traffic lights, signal delays, and monsoon-related flooding as it fully underground.