Mumbai: The first phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3, the Aqua Line, will be operational by the end of September 2024, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told media persons in an informal talk at his residence on Sunday evening. In its first phase, Metro Line 3 will cover 10 stations, connecting Aarey, an Andheri suburb, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), a premier business district.
The Metro Line 3 is the most ambitious metro project that connects North Mumbai to South Mumbai, spanning 33.5 km. It will cover six commercial suburbs and two transport hubs including Mumbai’s two airports. Additionally, it will cover 30 office areas, 12 educational institutions, and 11 major hospitals. When completed, Metro Line 3 will drastically reduce the city’s traffic.
Shinde’s announcements holds significance as Maharashtra Assembly elections are expected to be held in November 2024. The Chief Minister also announced plans to make Mumbai slum-free by building 30 lakh low-cost homes. He said the state government has partnered with several government agencies to achieve this goal, a report in Hindustan Times said.
He emphasised that NITI Aayog has recommended building low-cost housing in large numbers and it’s crucial to reducing the real estate prices in Mumbai.
He stated that agencies such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) have been tasked with expediting long-delayed slum rehabilitation projects. These agencies will work in partnership with private developers to carry out construction activities.