Mumbai Metro Line 3 is now further delayed and expected to complete the first phase of the Metro corridor on Bandra-SEEPZ by January 2024, according to The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL). The project will take another six more months to start phase-1 only if the Metro car shed land issue is resolved in the next three months.
The initial deadline for completing the Metro Line 3 project for phase-1 was 2021. But due to the metro car shed issue, the project has been impacted severely, resulting in cost escalation by over 10,000 crore.
However, considering the current situation, with no land for the car shed and delay in completing the civil work, it seems that Mumbaikars will have to wait at least 2024.
An extension of the line has also been proposed to extend the line by 2.5 km to Navy Nagar from Cuffe Parade. As per the initial plan, Cuffe Parade was planned to be the first station of the line; however, after extension, the first station will be Navy Nagar. There are 26 stations planned earlier, which will be 27 stations on the line after the extension. The extension on metro line 3 will cost an additional ₹2,301 crore.
As per the initial plan, the metro line 3 project was divided into two phases. The first phase (Bandra – Seepz) was planned to be completed by December 2021, and the second phase (Bandra-Kurla Complex – Colaba) by June 2022. Based on the previous plan, the entire stretch was expected to be operational by 2022; however, considering the project’s delay, it is unlikely that the project will be completed by 2024.