Mumbai’s First Underground Metro (Aqua Line) to Launch on July 24
Announcement by BJP Leader Vinod Tawde
Mumbai, India’s financial capital, is set to launch its first underground metro line, the Aqua Line, on July 24. This was announced by Bharatiya Janata Party’s general secretary Vinod Tawde on social media platform ‘X’.
Prime Minister’s Commitment
Vinod Tawde highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to make life easier for Mumbaikars, and the launch of the Aqua Line is a step towards fulfilling that promise. The new metro line will cover a distance of 33.5 kilometers, running from Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade with 27 stops.
Route and Stations
The Aqua Line will pass through key areas such as Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone). The stations include Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Mumbai Central Metro, Mahalaxmi, Science Museum, Acharya Atre Chowk, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Shitladevi, Dharavi, BKC, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Domestic Airport, Sahar Road, International Airport, Marol Naka, MIDC, SEEPZ, and Aarey Depot.
Project Completion
The government of Maharashtra aims to complete the entire Mumbai Metro 3 project by December 2024. The first phase will run between SEEPZ and Bandra Kurla Complex. The project has achieved 98% completion, with a revised cost of Rs 37,275.50 crore.
Construction Progress
According to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, 99.2% of civil works and 97% of station construction have been completed. Tunneling works are fully done, and significant progress has been made in other areas like depot civil works and mainline track works.
Ridership Surge
The introduction of the metro system has seen a significant increase in daily ridership. On July 24, 2023, the ridership reached 212,490, followed by 218,635 on July 25, 2023, and the highest recorded ridership was 222,290 on July 26, 2023. This surge has been particularly noted on the Metro 2A and 7 lines.
Doubts Revealed
Underground Metro -: An underground metro is a train system that runs below the ground. It helps people travel quickly without getting stuck in traffic.
Aqua Line -: The Aqua Line is the name given to Mumbai’s first underground metro route. It’s called ‘Aqua’ because it might be related to water or the color blue.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Vinod Tawde -: Vinod Tawde is a leader from the BJP. He is involved in politics and helps make decisions for the community.
Aarey Colony -: Aarey Colony is a green area in Mumbai with lots of trees and open spaces. It’s known for its natural beauty.
Cuffe Parade -: Cuffe Parade is a posh area in South Mumbai. It has many tall buildings and is close to the sea.
Colaba -: Colaba is a famous area in Mumbai known for its markets, restaurants, and the Gateway of India.
Bandra -: Bandra is a popular suburb in Mumbai. It is known for its shopping, restaurants, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
SEEPZ -: SEEPZ stands for Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone. It is an area in Mumbai where many companies have their offices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Traffic congestion -: Traffic congestion means there are too many vehicles on the road, causing slow movement and jams. It makes travel difficult and time-consuming.
Urban transit -: Urban transit refers to the systems used to move people around a city, like buses, trains, and metros. It helps people get to work, school, and other places.
Bandra Kurla Complex -: Bandra Kurla Complex, or BKC, is a business district in Mumbai. Many big companies have their offices there.
