MUMBAI: The laying of tracks for both up and down lines of the BKC-Cuffe Parade section of the Metro 3 project has been finished. The 21km-long section forms Phase II of the project and is on track for commissioning before the next monsoon, said an official from Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). Challenges persist, particularly at Acharya Atre Chowk, where ongoing utility work has caused delays.
The 12.5km long Phase I corridor (Aarey-BKC) was inaugurated on Oct 5 and opened for commuters on Oct 7. It has an average ridership of 22,000 per day.
On Sunday, MMRC announced the completion of 100% track laying on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “This marks a significant milestone in the project progress towards full commissioning.” Phase II has achieved an overall progress rate of 88%. Station and tunnel construction have been completed 99%, with station construction at 97.6%. Work on systems and overhead catenary system (OCS) is nearing the 60% mark.
One of the most challenging aspects of the underground Metro project lies in the construction of stations at Kalbadevi and Girgaum, which are densely populated areas with heritage structures, narrow roads, and old, dilapidated buildings.
These areas have seen significant disruption, with 423 residential units and 289 commercial blocks affected. Additionally, approximately 20 land parcels and 30 buildings across six non-contiguous blocks have been impacted.
Metro 3 will offer interchanges with the suburban train network at Churchgate, CSMT, Mumbai Central, and Mahalaxmi stations. The line will run close to major railway stations such as Charni Road, Grant Road, and Dadar.
