Mumbai’s first fully underground metro corridor will become operational across its entire route as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the final 10.99-kilometre stretch between Acharya Atre Chowk and Cuffe Parade stations in the Maharashtra city on Wednesday during his two-day visit. PM Narendra Modi will meet his UK counterpart Keir Starmer in Mumbai on October 9(PMO, X/@Dev_Fadnavis and AFP)

The 33.5-km Aqua Line (Metro Line 3), which runs from Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai to Aarey JVLR in Goregaon, is entirely underground. Two segments – Aarey JVLR to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk – are already operational.

During his two-day visit to Mumbai, PM Modi will inaugurate Phase 2B of Metro Line 3, connecting Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade.

On the same day, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport and deliver an address as well.

Alongside, he will also launch “Mumbai One”, a common mobility app integrating various public transport systems across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), according to a Press India Bureau (PIB) release.

11 underground stations

The final stretch of the Aqua Line will add 11 new underground stations that are expected to improve connectivity to South Mumbai’s heritage precinct, key government offices, and business districts. This segment has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹12,195 crore.

Phase 2B provides integration with the Central Railway at Mumbai CSMT and with the Western Railway at Mumbai Central and Churchgate, enhancing access to financial hubs like the RBI and BSE, as well as business districts such as Fort, Nariman Point, and Kalbadevi.

The complete Aqua Line – built at a total cost of over ₹37,270 crore – marks a major milestone in Mumbai’s public transport landscape.

“As Mumbai’s first and only fully underground metro line, this project is set to redefine commuting across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), offering a faster, more efficient, and modern transit solution for millions of residents,” the PIB release reads.

“Metro Line 3 is expected to reduce the load of suburban Railway by 15 per cent,” Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) stated.

It added that the line will result in 3.54 lakh litres of fuel saved daily, 6.65 lakh fewer vehicular trips, and will help reduce traffic congestion and noise pollution.

Aqua Line

The Aqua Line, with 27 stations, offers direct connectivity from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR, including access to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from South Mumbai.

According to the MMRCL, over 23,000 trees have been planted under compensatory plantation efforts, with mangrove restoration projects underway. The project also involved the rehabilitation of 1,941 families in ownership flats and 733 families in temporary accommodations.

In a national first, construction of the Aqua Line saw the simultaneous deployment of 17 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) – a record in Indian underground construction.

Once fully operational, commuters will be able to travel between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR in approximately one hour, a journey that currently takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on road traffic.

The corridor will improve access to half a dozen business hubs, 30 educational institutions, 13 hospitals, 14 religious sites, and 30 recreational centres. It is expected to cater to 13 lakh commuters daily, providing seamless metro access between South Mumbai and the northern suburbs, and easing travel to government, business, and cultural destinations.

Navi Mumbai airport

The Prime Minister, at around 3:30 pm on Wednesday, will inaugurate the Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which has been built at a cost of around Rs. 19,650 crores.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP), as per PIB. It will be the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, working in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to ease congestion and elevate Mumbai into the league of global multi-airport systems.

The airport, designed to be among the most efficient in the world, will eventually handle nine crore passengers annually (MPPA) and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.

NMIA will also be the first airport in the country to be connected by Water Taxi.

At around 10 am On October 9, PM Modi will host United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to Maharashtra on October 8.

The prime minister will first reach Navi Mumbai and at around 3 PM, will undertake a walkthrough of the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport. Thereafter, at around 3:30 PM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport and also launch and dedicate various projects in Mumbai.

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PM Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The next day, on 9 October, PM Modi will host the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, in Mumbai at 10 AM. At around 1:40 PM, the prime ministers of both countries will attend the CEO Forum at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. Thereafter, at around 2:45 PM, both of them will attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest. They will also deliver keynote addresses at the Fest.

PM in Navi Mumbai today Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) built at a cost of around ₹19,650 crores.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP). As the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA will work in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to ease congestion and elevate Mumbai into the league of global multi-airport systems. The airport, designed to be among the most efficient in the world with a 1,160 ha area, will eventually handle 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.

What’s Unique About Navi Mumbai Airport? Among its unique offerings is an Automated People Mover (APM), a transit system planned to connect all four passenger terminals for smooth inter-terminal transfers, as well as a landside APM linking the city-side infrastructure.

Travellers will now experience an amalgamation of cutting edge technology and inspired modern design making the Navi Mumbai International Airport a global infrastructure masterpiece. sais Maharashta CM

The airport will feature dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar power generation of approximately 47 MW, and EV bus services for public connectivity across the city. NMIA will also be the first airport in the country to be connected by Water Taxi.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line 3, which stretches from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade,at an estimated cost of around Rs. 12,200 crore. With this, he will dedicate the entire Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) — to the nation with a total cost of over Rs. 37,270 crore, marking a major milestone in the city’s urban transport transformation.

As Mumbai’s first and only fully underground metro line, this project is set to redefine commuting across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), offering a faster, more efficient, and modern transit solution for millions of residents.

Mumbai Metro Line–3: All you need to know The Mumbai Metro Line–3, spanning 33.5 km from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR with 27 stations, will cater to 13 lakh passengers daily. The final Phase 2B of the project will provide seamless connectivity to South Mumbai’s heritage and cultural districts such as Fort, Kala Ghoda, and Marine Drive, along with direct access to key administrative and financial hubs including the Bombay High Court, Mantralaya, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Nariman Point.

The Metro Line-3 has been designed to ensure efficient integration with other modes of transport, including railways, airports, other metro lines, and monorail services, thereby enhancing last-mile connectivity and reducing congestion across the metropolitan region.

Prime Minister Modi will also launch “Mumbai One” – Integrated Common Mobility App for 11 Public transport Operators (PTO) across Metro, Monorail, Suburban railways and Bus PTOs. These include Mumbai Metro Line 2A & 7, Mumbai Metro Line 3, Mumbai Metro Line 1, Mumbai Monorail, Navi Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Suburban Railway, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), Thane Municipal Transport, Mira Bhayander Municipal Transport, Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Transport and Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport.

Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP), a pioneering initiative by the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation in Maharashtra. The program will be rolled out across 400 Government ITIs and 150 Government Technical High Schools, marking a major step in aligning skill development with industry requirements to enhance employability.

STEP will establish 2,500 new training batches, including 364 exclusive batches for women and 408 batches in emerging technology courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Electric Vehicles (EV), Solar, and Additive Manufacturing etc.

What’s the agenda of UK PM’s visit? At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom will visit India on 8-9 October 2025. This will be Prime Minister Starmer’s first official visit to India.

During the visit, the two Prime Ministers will take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035’, a focussed and time bound 10-year Roadmap of programmes and initiatives in key pillars of trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations.

Both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on the opportunities presented by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which will serve as a central pillar of the future India–UK economic partnership. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. The leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators.

Where is Global Fintech Fest being held? Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer will also participate in the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest at Jio World Centre, Mumbai and deliver keynote addresses on the occasion.

The Global Fintech Fest 2025 will bring together innovators, policymakers, central bankers, regulators, investors, academics, and industry leaders from around the world. The conference’s central theme, ‘Empowering Finance for a Better World’ – Powered by AI, Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion, highlights the convergence of technology and human insight in shaping an ethical and sustainable financial future.

This year’s edition is expected to attract a footfall of over 100,000 participants from more than 75 countries, making it one of the world’s largest fintech gatherings. The event will feature participation from around 7,500 companies, 800 speakers, 400 exhibitors, and 70 regulators representing both Indian and international jurisdictions.

NEW DELHI:

will inaugurate Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, a landmark step in India’s civil aviation journey. The project marks a major milestone in Mumbai’s emergence as a global multi-airport city and is set to aid in easing congestion, boost passenger capacity, and introduce sustainable infrastructure.

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Second international airport for Mumbai

Built at a cost of Rs 19,650 crore, NMIA is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model. NMIA will operate it alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to reduce congestion and strengthen Mumbai’s position among global multi-airport cities.

Design

Spread across 1,160 hectares, the airport is designed to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, making it one of the most advanced airports in the world.

The airport will feature an APM system connecting all four passenger terminals for smooth inter-terminal transfers, along with a landside APM linking city-side infrastructure.

Sustainability and connectivity

NMIA will feature dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar power generation of approximately 47 MW, and EV bus services for city-wide connectivity. The airport will also be the first in India to be connected by Water Taxi, reflecting a modern, eco-friendly approach to passenger and cargo transport.

Strategic impact

NMIA is expected to enhance passenger experience, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen Mumbai’s status as a major international aviation hub.

The airport is designed with modern, passenger-friendly amenities to ensure smooth transit and integrate seamlessly with existing and upcoming transport infrastructure, including metro lines, road networks, and other public transport systems.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday. The airport’s first phase, a landmark development for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), was recently showcased in an official video released on social media on Tuesday.

Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, NMIA is positioned as India’s largest Greenfield airport project.

Ahead of the inauguration, the first video of NMIA was released on social media on Tuesday.

WATCH VIDEO

New airport to ease congestion, boost connectivity NMIA is set to transform the region’s air travel infrastructure. As the second international airport serving the MMR, it will operate alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, aiming to significantly ease air traffic congestion and establish Mumbai as a major global city with a multi-airport system.

Also Read | Navi Mumbai airport may reach full capacity in first year of operations itself

The airport spans an area of 1,160 hectares and is designed for high efficiency. It is projected to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually (MPPA) and process 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.

Key Features The Navi Mumbai International Airport boasts several unique and sustainable features:

Automated People Mover (APM) : A planned transit system designed for seamless travel, connecting all four passenger terminals internally and linking the airport to the city-side infrastructure.

: A planned transit system designed for seamless travel, connecting all four passenger terminals internally and linking the airport to the city-side infrastructure. Sustainability : The airport incorporates several green initiatives, including dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and plans for 47 megawatts of solar power generation.

: The airport incorporates several green initiatives, including dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and plans for 47 megawatts of solar power generation. Connectivity: NMIA will be the first airport in the country to be connected by a water taxi service. It will also offer electric bus services for public transport across the city. The government anticipates that the new airport will bring a “positive change” to the lives of crores of people across the region.

Mumbai Metro Line-3 On Wednesday, PM Modi will also inaugurate phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, stretching from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade.

The phase 2B project has been constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹12,200 crore.