Mumbai Metro Line 3 Lacks Mobile Network: Milind Deora Writes to MMRCL

Mumbai: Milind Deora has written to Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, highlighting the complete absence of mobile network connectivity on the Metro Aqua Line (Line 3) and urging immediate corrective action.

In a letter dated March 30, 2026, the Rajya Sabha MP described the lack of connectivity across underground stretches of the corridor as a serious disruption to daily commuters, particularly in a city like Mumbai where constant digital access is integral to work and services.

‘Not an inconvenience, but a productivity disruption’

Deora, who said he uses the Metro frequently, noted that Mumbai — India’s financial capital — cannot afford prolonged communication blackouts in its flagship infrastructure projects.

He pointed out that professionals, entrepreneurs, and service providers rely heavily on uninterrupted connectivity, and being offline during travel directly impacts coordination, work output, and even access to essential services.

Push for telecom rollout, interim Wi-Fi solution

Referring to reports that telecom operators are willing to deploy infrastructure, Deora urged MMRCL to:

• Fast-track approvals and coordination for in-train and tunnel mobile connectivity
• Work with all stakeholders to ensure early rollout of network services

As an interim measure, he also suggested that the corporation provide:

• Reliable high-speed Wi-Fi across stations and tunnels

to ensure commuters remain connected during their journey.

Pressure builds on MMRCL amid commuter complaints

The issue of network blackout on the underground corridor of Mumbai Metro Line 3 has been a recurring complaint among commuters, especially as the line is positioned as one of the city’s most advanced infrastructure projects.

Deora’s intervention adds political weight to a growing civic concern, potentially increasing pressure on authorities to address the gap between physical infrastructure and digital readiness.

A test case for ‘smart infrastructure’

The Aqua Line has been projected as a symbol of Mumbai’s next-generation transport system. However, the absence of basic telecom connectivity raises a larger question:

Can infrastructure truly be called “modern” if it fails to meet digital expectations of a 21st-century city?