Mumbai’s Aqua Line Metro3 Launch: Modest Start but Promising Growth

Mumbai’s Aqua Line, or Metro3, commenced commercial operations on Monday, marking a significant milestone with the introduction of the city’s first underground metro corridor. The inaugural service, which runs from Bandra-Kurla Complex to Aarey-JVLR, began at 11 AM, drawing an initial crowd of 15,700 passengers despite facing some ticketing challenges.

On its first day, the Aqua Line experienced a slow start, but passenger numbers steadily increased as the day progressed. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation anticipates that with services set to begin at 6:30 AM on October 8, morning peak traffic will provide a further boost to ridership.

*Initial Operations and Challenges*

Metro3 trains departed punctually at 11 AM from both Aarey and BKC stations. While the train from Aarey struggled to attract riders, the service from BKC enjoyed higher patronage, likely due to its proximity to major thoroughfares like the Western Express Highway.

However, the launch was not without its hiccups. At Aarey JVLR station, ticketing options were limited, with vending machines accepting only small denomination notes and the debit/credit card facility out of service. Additionally, some metro rakes faced maintenance issues, leading staff to admit that a few trains were temporarily withdrawn from service.

*Infrastructure and Commuting Experience

The new metro stations are notably spacious and feature escalators due to their underground design. Although some finishing touches are still underway—such as the installation of elevators and automatic ticket vending machines—operations proceeded without major interruptions.

Metro3 operates nine rakes, completing 96 trips daily with an interval of 6.5 minutes. The full journey along the 12.69-km route takes less than 20 minutes, a substantial time-saving compared to the typical 40 to 70 minutes required by road, depending on traffic.

*BKC Station Thrives During Peak Hours*

As the workday concluded, BKC station saw a noticeable influx of commuters. With three entry and exit points, the station proved efficient for office-goers looking to bypass the notorious traffic congestion that plagues routes to and from Kurla railway station. “Traveling to and from Kurla and BKC can be a nightmare, but with Metro3, I avoid all these hassles,” shared Pankaj Dwivedi, a resident of Bhandup.

*Marol Naka: A Key Interchange*

Marol Naka emerged as the busiest station on day one, serving as a crucial interchange for commuters from SEEPZ and MIDC. It also facilitated connections for travelers heading to Metro 1. The evening peak hour recorded an increase of over 1,300 passengers at Marol Naka, where weekday ridership typically hovers around 17,000. Officials from Mumbai Metro One Private Limited expect this number to more than double as ridership continues to grow.

In summary, while the Aqua Line’s launch encountered some initial challenges, the positive reception and increasing passenger numbers suggest a bright future for Mumbai's metro system