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After six and a half years of construction, Mumbai’s eagerly anticipated Cuffe Parade-BKC-Seepz Metro 3 corridor is on the brink of becoming operational. Metro authorities are gearing up to commence trial runs on a short stretch in the island city, marking a significant milestone in the project’s journey. The initial plan is to run the train up to Siddhivinayak or Dadar station to facilitate these trial runs.
Crucial infrastructure tasks like overhead electrification (OHE) and track-laying have been successfully completed up to Dadar station. This preliminary run is crucial for gathering valuable insights before official trial runs, which are scheduled to extend to Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli.
Phased Opening Strategy
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has adopted a phased approach to opening the corridor. Phase I will cover Seepz-BKC, Phase II will extend to Worli, and the final Phase will reach Cuffe Parade. Despite ongoing work, the train will gradually cover more stations as part of its progression. Phase I operations, encompassing eight stations from Seepz to BKC, are now expected to commence by June-July, following several missed deadlines.
Currently, loaded trials on rakes are underway, simulating passenger loads with gunny bags filled with debris during train motion between BKC and Aarey. MMRCL boasts 19 rakes, facilitating over 260 services in Phase I operations between BKC and Aarey. However, before commercial operations can begin, safety certifications and approvals from relevant authorities, including the Independent Safety Assessor and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety, are imperative.
The project, with a significant budget of Rs 37,000 Cr, is set for Phase I operation between Aarey and BKC by the end of May. Subsequently, Phase II, covering BKC to Cuffe Parade, is slated for operationalization by October. Phase one consists of eight stations from Seepz to BKC, while phase two will include six stations from Dharavi to Worli. The final phase will encompass 11 stations between Worli & Cuffe Parade.
As Mumbai eagerly awaits the operationalization of this transformative infrastructure project, the Metro 3 corridor stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to enhancing its public transportation system and easing the daily commute for millions of residents.
