Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) Worli to Cuffe Parade: Everything You Need to Know Before 30th September Launch

Introduction

As a Mumbaikar, traffic has always been our daily struggle – whether you’re stuck at Haji Ali, sweating in a crowded Churchgate train, or inching along the Worli Sea Face in peak hours. But from 30th September 2025, life in Mumbai is about to change.

The Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) Worli to Cuffe Parade stretch – the final leg of the underground metro – is all set to start operations. Once opened, we’ll finally have a 33.5 km fully underground metro connecting Aarey to Cuffe Parade in just under 55 minutes.

This is not just another infrastructure update – this is a revolution in how Mumbai will move. Let me break it down for you in detail.

Timeline of Metro Line 3

• 2017: Construction started with massive underground tunnelling.
• 2024: First section Aarey–BKC (Phase I) opened.
• May 2025: BKC–Worli stretch launched (Phase II).
• 30 September 2025: The final Worli to Cuffe Parade stretch will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, completing the Aqua Line.

Key Stations from Worli to Cuffe Parade

This final stretch brings the metro right into the heart of South Mumbai. Major stations include:

• Science Museum (Worli)
• Mahalaxmi
• Mumbai Central
• Grant Road
• Girgaon
• Kalbadevi
• CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus)
• Hutatma Chowk (Fort area)
• Churchgate
• Vidhan Bhavan
• Cuffe Parade (terminal)

These stations connect directly to Western Railway (Churchgate, Mahalaxmi), Central Railway (CSMT), and even link to Monorail and upcoming metro lines.

Fares & Timings

• Minimum fare: ₹20
• Maximum fare (end-to-end Aarey–Cuffe Parade): ₹70
• First train: ~5:55 AM (earlier than previous phases)
• Last train: Around midnight (10:30 PM)

For comparison:

• Cuffe Parade to Aarey by taxi = ₹400+ and ~1.5 hours.
• By Metro 3 = ₹70 and 54 minutes.

Expected Ridership

Right now, only 60,000 commuters use Metro 3 daily (from Phase I & II). But once this final stretch opens, ridership is projected to cross 2 lakh per day immediately, and grow to 13–17 lakh daily in the long run.

That means fewer private cars and taxis, less crowd in local trains, and hopefully a bit more breathing space on our roads.

BEST Bus & Taxi Impact

• BEST buses are already preparing. They’ve announced 24 feeder services connecting directly to Metro 3 stations, so last-mile connectivity won’t be a problem.
• Around 32 existing routes will be adjusted to complement the metro instead of competing.
• Taxis & kaali-peelis, especially in the Nariman Point–Churchgate area, fear losing passengers. Some drivers say business could drop by 30–40% as commuters shift to the faster metro.

Impact on South Mumbai Neighborhoods

South Mumbai is finally getting a modern metro line – but not without mixed reactions:

• Positive:
  • Faster commute for office-goers in Fort, Nariman Point, and Churchgate.
  • Less congestion on Marine Drive, JJ Flyover, and Peddar Road.
  • Expected boost to local businesses as areas become more accessible.
• Concerns:
  • Residents in Cuffe Parade and Fort fear overcrowding, more hawkers, and parking chaos near stations.
  • Taxi drivers worry about reduced demand.

Technology & Safety

• Fully underground metro (up to 23 meters deep).
• Platform screen doors at every station – safer and air-conditioned platforms.
• Alstom Metropolis trains – driverless-ready, with LED screens, CCTV, and smooth acceleration.
• CBTC signalling – trains can run every 6–7 minutes.
• 24×7 CCTV, fire safety systems, and emergency exits installed across all stations.

Environmental & Heritage Angle

• The Aarey car shed controversy continues – many activists opposed tree cutting in the green zone, but authorities went ahead citing feasibility.
• In Fort, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, tunnelling was done carefully to protect 100+ year-old heritage buildings. Engineers used special low-vibration methods to avoid structural damage.

What Officials Say

• CM Devendra Fadnavis: “This line will decongest South Mumbai and change the way people travel.”
• Dy CM Eknath Shinde: “Metro 3 will take nearly 5 lakh vehicles off roads, saving fuel and reducing pollution.”
• Commuters: Many are calling it a “game changer” – one traveler said his airport commute will drop from 1 hour (₹500 taxi) to 35 minutes (₹70 metro).

Why This Matters for Every Mumbaikar

Think about it – Churchgate to Bandra Kurla Complex in under 25 minutes, Cuffe Parade to Aarey in less than an hour, and all without the stress of traffic jams.

Metro 3 isn’t just another project – it’s Mumbai’s biggest underground lifeline. For us commuters, it means more time with family, less money spent on taxis, and a more reliable city life.

Final Thoughts

On 30th September 2025, history will be made as Mumbai gets its first fully underground north–south metro line.

If you live, work, or travel through South Mumbai, get ready to embrace a new way of commuting. I personally can’t wait to take my first ride from Worli to Cuffe Parade – because for the first time in years, we might just beat Mumbai’s traffic monster.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)