23 May,2026 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Tarun Verma
Commuters wait for delayed Aqua Line services at Marol Naka station amid prolonged disruptions and lack of updates from Metro authorities. Pic/Tarun Verma
Mumbai Metro Line-3, popularly known as the Aqua Line, witnessed major disruptions on Friday morning, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded for close to three hours despite an official restoration announcement by the authorities.
Metro services on both UP and DOWN lines were reportedly disrupted from around 8.45 am. Around 10 am, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) issued an official statement claiming services had been restored.
However, my experience on the ground painted a very different picture.
I boarded the Mumbai Metro from Marol Naka station at 12.50 pm to travel to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a journey that barely takes 12-13 minutes on any regular day.
The train I boarded was already on Platform 1 since 12.40 pm. Passengers told me that they waited inside for nearly 55 minutes without any clear communication from the metro officials deployed at the platform.
Despite repeated queries from anxious commuters, the station staff had no explanation for the delay.
Sensing continued uncertainty, I deboarded and exited the underground station, feeling claustrophobic. Eventually, the stationary train departed, but the ordeal was far from over.
Around 1:30 pm, an announcement was finally made stating that services towards Cuffe Parade had resumed. Yet, commuters were forced to wait another 30 minutes before the next train arrived.
When the delayed train finally reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal 2 (CSMIA T2) station, it was stranded for another 15 minutes.
Inside the packed coach, commuters' frustration quickly turned into panic. Several passengers appeared visibly distressed, with some complaining of claustrophobia due to the prolonged waiting inside the sealed air-conditioned compartment.
The journey from Marol Naka to BKC ultimately took two hours.
A co-passenger travelling from Marol Naka to Airport Terminal 1 told me that he was on his way to catch a flight and feared missing it due to the prolonged disruption.
"I had planned my travel keeping the Metro's usual timing in mind. There are high chances that I will miss my flight today," he said.
What added to the chaos was the complete lack of clarity from the Metro authorities. No fresh announcements were made informing passengers that services were again disrupted after the earlier restoration statement.
Passengers who used the emergency communication system inside the train to contact the control room were met with vague responses. Neither the control room staff, metro personnel on platforms, nor the loco pilot appeared to know the exact reason behind the repeated halts.
The incident has raised serious concerns over Mumbai Metro Line-3's operational communication systems and crisis management, especially on a service that is expected to become the city's critical high-speed transport corridor.
- Lack of communication and timely announcements from Metro authorities
- No mobile network connectivity inside underground stations and trains
- Claustrophobic passengers reportedly faced panic and discomfort during the prolonged halt
- Unexpected delays left commuters stranded for hours during peak travel time
- No clarity on the service restoration timeline for passengers
- Commuters alleged loco pilots, station staff and control room personnel appeared unaware of the exact issue
- Confusion reported at key stations, including BKC and Marol Naka
- Passengers struggled to inform family members or arrange alternate transport due to network issues
