Mumbai's ambitious underground Metro Line 3, linking Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ, is poised to partially open its doors this September. The inaugural stretch will connect the bustling Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Aarey, marking a significant milestone in the city's transportation evolution.

Despite earlier delays due to ongoing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) work, particularly at key airport stations, the project has made remarkable progress. With 97% of Phase 1 work completed, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is in the final stages of preparation for the launch. Mumbai Metro Line 3 is expected to be fully operational by next year.

The first phase encompasses major segments including SEEPZ, MIDC, and Marol stations. However, challenges persist at the Sahar, T1, and T2 stations, where construction complexities have necessitated deeper station builds and temporary entry/exit solutions.

In a parallel development, MMRC has inked a 15-year agreement with Microscan Infocommtech to establish an underground optical fiber network along the entire 33.5 km route. This initiative aims to bolster Mumbai's communication infrastructure while generating non-fare revenue to keep passenger fares affordable.

Ashwini Bhide, the Managing Director of MMRC, conveyed optimism about the project's potential impact. He mentioned that MMRC aims to maximise non-fare revenue to keep passenger fares affordable and encourage more commuters to transition from private vehicles to the Mumbai Metro.

As Mumbai anticipates this underground marvel, the Metro Line 3 promises to revolutionise urban transit, offering a glimpse into the city's future mobility landscape.