Aqua Line Blues: Commuters Hit with 30-Minute Delays During Peak Hours

Mumbai's Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, is experiencing significant operational issues, leading to frustrating delays for passengers during the crucial morning rush hour. Following the inauguration of the first phase, which spans 12.69 kilometers from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Aarey Colony, commuters have reported delays of 30 to 40 minutes.

 Operational Glitches Disrupt Commute

The issues persisted for a third consecutive day, with Wednesday morning being particularly problematic. Some stations, such as Sahar Road and BKC, faced nearly 35 minutes without service. This has left many office-goers scrambling for alternate transport to reach workplaces in major business hubs like BKC, MIDC, and SEEPZ.

Passengers took to social media to voice their frustrations. One commuter, Amit Baxi, tweeted, “@MumbaiMetro3 stuck at Sahar station for the last 30 minutes. Train at a halt. No updates for passengers except apologies for delay announcements.” Another user echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The same thing happened yesterday; the train arrived after a 45-minute wait with no communication on arrival times.”

 Technical Challenges Identified

The delays have been attributed to issues with the platform screen doors at Sahar Road station, which had also been reported earlier in the week. On the first day of operations, a software-related problem caused a brief disruption shortly after the metro opened to the public.

Ashwini Bhide, managing director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), acknowledged these teething problems, noting that every new metro corridor faces initial challenges. She explained that the system is designed for fully automated operation, but due to limited testing time, it is currently functioning in a semi-automated mode. "If the train pilot isn’t experienced enough to resolve the glitch, the system stops the train to ensure safety," she said.

 Looking Ahead

Bhide assured passengers that the operational smoothness would improve as the team gains more experience and the system stabilizes. “These problems will soon be overcome,” she added, encouraging commuters to remain patient during this transition phase.

As the Aqua Line aims to ease congestion in Mumbai, overcoming these early operational hurdles will be essential for gaining commuter trust and ensuring efficient service in the future.