Services from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli, on Mumbai Metro Line 3, started on Saturday. The final phase of this line, between Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli and Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai, will become operational in August.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde rode a Metro train through the underground corridor from BKC to Siddhivinayak Temple on Friday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters after the 10-minute ride, Fadnavis said the BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk section (Phase 2A) of Metro Line 3 would be open to the public from Saturday morning. Last year, the 13 km stretch between JVLR Aarey and BKC was opened to the public, he noted.
The work of two stations in the next phase is in its final stages, and once completed, the entire metro corridor will be opened to the public, Fadnavis said. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be invited when the final phase, between Atre Chowk and Cuff Parade, becomes operational.
Phase 2A of Metro Line 3, also called Aqua Line, is 9.77 km long, with its tunnel built through the 'rockbed' beneath the Mithi River. It will have six stations: Dharavi, Shitaladevi, Dadar West, Siddhivinayak, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk.
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The Colaba-BKC-Aarey line is the longest underground Metro route in the country and is considered an "engineering marvel," as the corridor passes beneath the Mithi River and densely populated areas like Girgaon. The underground metro corridor has 26 stations and boasts a state-of-the-art design with multiple entry and exit points to avoid congestion.
"The Metro stretch that is operational is receiving a good response. Ridership is increasing, and when end-to-end connectivity becomes available, ridership will increase further," said the Chief Minister. He also underlined that this Metro line will provide excellent connectivity for the airport, adding it will take some time due to ongoing constructions.
