MUMBAI: The Phase I of the Metro 3 underground corridor between Aarey and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is expected to open in April 2024 as the work on the depot is not yet completed.
Phase I is a 12 km long stretch and will offer connectivity to, both, domestic and international airport as well as Metro I (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) at Marol.
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd’s (MMRCL) managing director Ashwini Bhide said, “Earlier, we had announced December 2023 as the opening date but work on the shunting neck, which will connect the depot to main line is still underway.”
The trees were removed in April 2023 for laying of shunting neck after the Supreme Court gave clearance to the tree authority decision on March 15. However, SC had imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh..
MMRCL now hopes to complete the work on the shunting neck by January-end. Thereafter, all the trials and inspections will commence.
Bhide, who was speaking at an event organised by Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Thursday said, “We now hope to open the Phase I line by March-April.”
A total of 260 services will be operated in Phase I at a frequency of 6.40 minutes with 9 rakes, of which one will be on standby.
The 8-car train will operate between 6.30 am and 11 pm
MMRCL has earlier announced that the Phase II (BKC-Cuffe Parade) will open in June-July.
Bhide said that this phase is now expected to be opened in September-October 2024.
The BKC-Aarey route, with nine stations, aims to address high-density traffic areas. The project, initially slated for completion in 2021, faced a delay of almost 30 months due to various challenges, including Covid, but significant progress has been achieved since then.
