The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) is gearing up to launch Phase 1 of Metro 3, the aqua line, with operations expected to begin on July 1, according to a report in Times of India.
At present, 99.5 per cent of the construction work at the Aarey Depot is complete. Trains on this line will operate between Aarey and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). MMRCL has already commenced integrated trial runs and will soon invite the Research, Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) to review critical aspects of the trials and commissioning.
According to the reports, the authorities have revealed that some minor finishing, trials, and tests are pending. Even though the depot is finished, the operations and control room might not be up by July 1. As a result, a backup operation and control room have been set up at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to manage the train operations.
The Aarey depot spans 30 hectares, with 25 hectares dedicated to a station and depot and 5 hectares reserved for other uses. It features extensive facilities for maintenance, operations, administration, and training.
The depot includes an Operations and Control Centre, which manages emergency situations and coordinates with emergency services. Designed to accommodate 30 trains, each with eight cars, the depot is a crucial component of the project. The entire development has been completed at a cost of Rs 328 crore.
At one particular time, up to 20 trains will only be in service with some positioned at terminal stations like Cuffe Parade and Bandra Kurla Complex, ready for morning operations. As there are 19 trains in its possession, the metro agency is equipped to run over 260 services daily.
Every depot is considered an extremely important part of any metro project. Earlier, due to some legal disputes, the construction work at the depot was delayed by three years. The Aarey depot serves as a central control hub for Metro 3.
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