Mumbai Metro Line-3 Phase 1 trial begins  

Mumbai Metro Line-3 Phase 1 integrated trial runs underway, aiming to revolutionize city's transportation with futuristic mass transit.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) began the integrated trial runs of underground Metro Line-3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) Phase 1 on March 12. The service will be made available for the passengers once MMRCL receives the approval from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), informed MMRCL officials .

During the trail runs, various systems including signal telecommunication, rolling stock (coach), track traction are validated. The trail runs are carried out between BKC and Aarey.

After the trail runs, the officials need to acquire certifications from individual systems and the Independent Safety Accessor (ISA). Then, the system will be offered to the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) for inspection and sanction. 

MMRCL is a joint venture of the Centre and State governments.

The Metro Line-3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) is the only fully underground metro in the city and once completed, it will improve the quality of transportation in the city. “Once operational, Metro-3 will cater to 17 lakh passengers daily with an unfailing frequency of 3-4 minutes, ferrying approximately 2,500 passengers at a time,” said MMRCL official. 

The integrated trials faced multiple delays due to various challenges faced in the construction of Metro-3, including tunnelling in complicated geology, below old, dilapidated buildings, and around congested neighbourhoods. “Certain limits for vibrations must be maintained and continuously monitored while tunnelling to ensure the safety of such buildings in the vicinity of the station area, which is surrounded by historical structures. For the first time, 17 TBMs worked simultaneously for an underground metro project. MMRC also achieved the First Twin tunnel breakthrough of line-3 and third in country,” said MMRCL officials. 

The most daunting task was tunnelling beneath the difficult geology of the Mithi river. The team of experts and engineers used latest technical know-how and engineering expertise to overcome this challenge.