MMRCL speeds up Rs. 33,000-cr Aqua Line 3 Corridor
One of the most ambitious and challenging metro rails infra project in Mumbai, is the 33.5 km long underground metro route Aqua Line 3, connecting North and South Mumbai, being executed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited at an investment of Rs. 33,000 crore. The project has been fast tracked and is planned to be completed by June 2024. It will be completely underground and will run along ColabaBandra-SEEPZ corridor connecting the city's financial hubs Nariman Point, Bandra Kurla Complex, Fort, Worli, Lower Parel and Goregaon. The first phase between Aarey to Bandra-Kurla Complex is slated to be ready by December this year and the second phase between BKC and Cuffe Parade by June next year. The project has received funding from several entities which include Japan’s technical and lending agency Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has provided Official Development Assistance of about Rs. 12,750 crore for the project. Recently, senior officials from JICA visited the under construction MIDC station of Aqua Line 3, to review the ongoing construction work. The metro line will serve more than 16 lakh commuters daily, leading to reduction in travel time. After completion, the fully underground North-South metro corridor will have 27 stations and interchange points linking with the city’s famous suburban railway, Monorail and ‘Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar’ Metro-1, Metro 2B and Metro 6.