Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the fully underground 33.6 km Aqua Line on September 30, completing service between Aarey and Cuffe Parade.
• The completed corridor links key commercial and civic hubs including Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Churchgate, CSMT, Kalbadevi, Grant Road and BKC, with connections to major rail stations and both airports.
• MMRC expects daily ridership to climb to about 2 lakh after commissioning, up from roughly 50,000–70,000 riders on the currently operating Aarey–Acharya Atre stretch.
• Reported fares include about Rs 70 end-to-end, Rs 60 for Mumbai Central–BKC and roughly Rs 50 for Andheri–Mahalaxmi, with journeys portrayed as far cheaper than taxis.
• Experts warn that higher fares than second-class suburban trains and a limited suburban catchment could temper uptake, as the project’s tunnelling navigated dense heritage areas using TBMs and NATM.