*Mumbai Unveils Its First Underground Metro Line: A New Era of Connectivity

Mumbai has officially launched its inaugural underground Metro stretch, connecting the bustling Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Aarey. The eagerly awaited phase-1 of the aqua line commenced operations for the public on Monday morning, bringing excitement and cheers from passengers eager to experience this new mode of transportation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 12.69-kilometer corridor on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the city’s transit infrastructure. During the inauguration, he took a ride from BKC to Santacruz, engaging with local students, beneficiaries of the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, and laborers who played a vital role in constructing this underground marvel.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, responsible for the ambitious 33.5-kilometer Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey JVLR project, announced that regular operations for the aqua line will officially start on Tuesday. Commuters can easily book their tickets via the NCMC card, the Mumbai Metro 3 mobile app, or through ticket vending machines located at the stations.

The new corridor features ten stations: BKC, Bandra Colony, Santacruz, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport T1, Sahar Road, CSMIA T2, Marol Naka, Andheri, SEEPZ, and Aarey Colony JVLR. Notably, all stations except Aarey JVLR are underground, highlighting the innovative engineering behind this project.

With the addition of the aqua line, Mumbai’s metro network expands to four operational corridors, joining the existing Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro Line-1, Andheri West-Dahisar Line-2A, and Andheri East-Dahisar Line-7. This new metro line not only enhances connectivity but also promises to ease traffic congestion in one of India’s busiest cities.