PM Modi to inaugurate last segment of Metro 3 in August: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday (May 9, 2025) inaugurated Phase 2A of the underground Mumbai Metro Line 3, connecting the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atre Chowk, and announced that the final segment of the corridor will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August.
Describing Metro Line 3 as an 'engineering marvel,' Mr. Fadnavis said the project overcame significant geological and logistical challenges during its execution. 'We came from under the Mithi River and have built metro stations in congested areas like Girgaon. Only two stations remain, and once completed, Line 3 will be fully operational,' he said.
Following the inauguration, Mr. Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde undertook a ride on the newly completed stretch. The 9.77-km segment, comprising six stations, received safety clearance earlier this week from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety. It will be opened to the public from Saturday.
The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ corridor (Metro Line 3) is the first fully underground metro project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The first phase, linking Aarey to BKC, became operational in October 2024. The final stretch, from Acharya Atre Chowk to Colaba (Phase 2B), spans 10.99 km and includes 11 stations, ultimately connecting Cuffe Parade to the city's central business districts.
'Since 2022, we have accelerated the execution of all metro lines. By next year, 50 km of new lines will be added, followed by another 50 km the year after, significantly enhancing public transport in the MMR,' Mr. Fadnavis said.
According to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL), the fully operational Line 3 is expected to serve approximately 13 lakh passengers daily, with each eight-coach train accommodating up to 2,500 commuters. Since its launch, the Aarey-BKC stretch has recorded a cumulative ridership of over 41.6 lakh, with a daily average of 20,030 passengers.
Seamless connectivity amid urban challenges
The newly inaugurated section connects key commercial hubs such as BKC and Worli with cultural landmarks including Siddhivinayak Temple, Mahim Dargah, Mahim Church, Shivaji Park, and several prominent theatres. The estimated travel time across the stretch is 15 minutes.
The construction faced multiple hurdles, including complex tunnelling under rocky terrain, coastal regulation clearances, traffic management in dense urban areas, land acquisition, and permissions for mangrove and tree felling. Officials stated that despite these constraints, the corridor promises to alleviate congestion along the Western Express Highway and suburban railway lines, while enhancing multimodal connectivity in Mumbai.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
1.6k cr Godavari purification work to begin before Kumbh
Nashik: The Godavari purification project worth Rs1,600 crore to make the river free of pollution will start before the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held between 2026 and 2028. Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has completed the tender process and finalised an eligible private agency. During the Kumbh Mela meeting held in Nashik city last week, NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri requested Fadnavis for his approval to award the contract to the agency concerned. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the CM said he had received the proposal and it was under consideration. Khatri told TOI the state govt is positive about the agency and NMC expects to get an approval soon. The Godavari purification project includes construction of four large new sewage treatment plants (STPs) in place of the eight old ones, construction of sewage pumping stations and diverting untreated sewage from 22 nullahs to STPs through new sewage lines to be constructed under the project. NMC's nine old STPs are around 30 years old. The civic body's major concern is that levels of biological oxygen demand and the total suspended solids of the treated sewage water at the old STPs are in the range of 20 to 25. It needs to be below 5 as per environmental norms. The total sewage water treatment capacity of these old nine STPs is around 342 MLD. At present, the civic body has 11 STPs, including nine old ones, treating sewage water with a total treatment capacity of 392 MLD. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sanitize & Smooth Clothes Fast with Philips Steamer Philips Garment Steamers Shop Now Undo Two new STPs were built and made operational over the last two years. One with a capacity of 18 MLD was built in Gangapur and the other with a capacity of 32 MLD at Pimpalgaon Khamb. NMC decided to construct four new STPs and upgrade an existing one with a total capacity of new STPs instead. The four new STPs will come up at Tapovan (180 MLD capacity), Agartakli (97 MLD), Chehedi (64 MLD) and Panchak (75 MLD). Existing old STP at Agartakli with a capacity of 70 MLD is to be upgraded with new technology, said officials. Untreated domestic sewage is released in 22 nullahs flowing into the Godavari river and causing pollution. With the new STPS, untreated waste will be diverted to the nearby facilities by laying new sewage lines. As many as 10 sewage pumping stations will be built. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Task for Maha to get 11 cr saplings in three months'
Mumbai: As part of the 'Green Maharashtra' initiative, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis declared an ambitious plan to plant 11 crore saplings in three months, but the big challenge before the administration will be to procure such a large number of saplings. "It is expected the exercise will have to be completed before monsoon, and before that we will have to procure the saplings and plant them across the state. It will be a challenging task," a revenue official said. According to the presentation made before the CM on Wednesday, the forest department will provide 1.8 crore saplings – 1.04 crore from its own units and 76 lakh from the social forestry wing, while the rest will have to be procured by other departments from their own funds. "Non-forest departments will have to purchase saplings from their own funds," he said. The official said while a new target of 11 crore has been set up, Fadnavis must ask the forest department the status of the tree plantation drive last year. — Prafulla Marpakwar Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
News18
14 hours ago
- News18
After Samruddhi Highway, Maharashtra CM Aims For Shaktipeeth Expressway To Link 12 Pilgrimage Sites
Last Updated: CM Devendra Fadnavis is now looking to complete the Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 805-kilometre, six-lane greenfield corridor that will span from Wardha in Vidarbha to Banda in Konkan With the final stretch of the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg inaugurated, Maharashtra is now preparing for another infrastructure project — the Shaktipeeth Expressway. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the state will focus on completion of the expressway, which will connect key religious and economic regions of the state, significantly boosting the long-neglected Marathwada region. CM Fadnavis has turned his focus toward the Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 805-kilometre, six-lane greenfield corridor that will span from Wardha in Vidarbha to Banda in Konkan. The proposed route will traverse 12 districts: Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg. This expressway aims to connect three major Shaktipeeths—Kolhapur's Mahalakshmi temple, Tuljapur's Tulja Bhavani temple, and Mahur's Renuka Devi temple—as well as other important religious destinations, including Parli Vaijnath, Aundha Nagnath, Pandharpur, Akkalkot, Ganagapur, and Karanja Lad. In total, 12 major pilgrimage and cultural sites will be connected. The project is estimated to cost Rs 86,000 crore and will include 48 major bridges, 30 tunnels, eight railway crossings, and 26 interchanges. It is envisioned as both a spiritual and industrial corridor, intended to reshape Marathwada's economy and improve connectivity across south-central Maharashtra. The Shaktipeeth Expressway, like the Samruddhi corridor, is planned with sustainability and industrial growth in mind. Gas pipelines are being laid alongside the road, enabling gas supply to industries situated along the route. Smart infrastructure features, including solar energy usage and roadside logistics hubs, are also planned. CM Fadnavis emphasised that the expressway is not merely a road project but a vision to economically integrate regions left out of the state's growth narrative. The Marathwada region, in particular, is expected to benefit through enhanced industrialisation and tourism. He reaffirmed that, just as the Samruddhi Highway was completed despite doubts and opposition, the Shaktipeeth Expressway will also be delivered with the same resolve. A truly historic and emotional moment – the dream of a 'Samruddha' Maharashtra has come true!'Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg' is now complete —it's not just a road, but a strong step towards a brighter was only possible because… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 6, 2025 MUMBAI-NAGPUR SAMRUDDHI MAHAMARG The final leg of the Samruddhi Expressway, from Igatpuri to Amne, was inaugurated recently, marking the completion of the 701-km super expressway that connects Nagpur to Mumbai. This now allows uninterrupted travel between these two major cities in just eight hours. The project, lauded for its record-speed execution, incorporates 73 bridges, eco-sensitive underpasses and overpasses for wildlife, five twin tunnels, and 22 facility centres along the route. It also includes India's largest highway tunnel system equipped with automatic cooling mechanisms and provisions for 200 MW of solar power generation. The expressway, positioned as Maharashtra's economic corridor, now connects 24 districts directly to JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust), enhancing logistics, industrial connectivity, and interstate trade. First Published: June 06, 2025, 11:44 IST
