South Mumbai will finally be on the Metro map in March, with fares ranging from ₹10 to ₹60. The expansion of Line 3 will extend from Aarey to Worli Naka (Acharya Atre Chowk), providing a 22km underground route for faster and more comfortable travel.
Faster Commute, Less Traffic
For ₹60, commuters can bypass congested roads like Lady Jamshedji Road and Dr Annie Besant Road, traveling smoothly through areas like Dharavi, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, and Worli. Many, like marketing professional Priya Rane, see it as a game-changer, replacing long cab rides with a quick metro journey.
Boost for Commercial Hubs
The new line directly connects business districts like BKC and Worli, reducing reliance on expensive cabs and crowded local trains. Though some stations, like Dadar Metro, are a bit far from railway stations, the metro still offers a reliable alternative.
Ridership Expected to Rise
Since its launch in October 2024, Metro 3’s first phase (Aarey to BKC) has seen around 25,000 daily passengers. With the extension into South Mumbai, officials expect a significant rise in ridership as more commuters switch from road to metro.
Overcoming Engineering Challenges
Building Metro 3 wasn’t easy. One of the biggest challenges was tunneling under the Mithi River. Engineers used advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and hydrophilic gaskets to ensure safe passage beneath the waterlogged ground.
Unique Construction Solutions
Mumbai isn’t the first Indian city to tunnel under a river—Kolkata and Chennai have done it before. However, Mumbai’s challenge was the dense urban sprawl alongside the water body. Acharya Atre Chowk station, located at a busy traffic intersection, required special support structures and traffic management during construction.
What’s Next?
Metro 3 was initially planned in two phases: Aarey to BKC and BKC to Cuffe Parade. As construction progressed, additional crossovers were introduced at Worli and CSMT for smoother operations. The fully operational line is expected to transform daily commuting in Mumbai.
