Mumbai Metro double whammy: Second Aqua Line snag halts trains between BKC-Marol Naka around three hours

Metro services on both the up and down lines were halted from around 12.40 pm. Pic by Tarun Verma

Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) services faced repeated disruptions on Friday afternoon despite authorities earlier claiming that the technical snag affecting both UP and DOWN routes had been rectified.

On Friday morning, metro services on both lines were reportedly disrupted. At 10 am, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) issued an official statement claiming that services had been restored.

However, at 12.40 pm, metro services were disrupted, with commuters reporting technical issues between Marol Naka and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

Services halted on both lines

Metro services on both UP and DOWN routes were suspended from around 12.40 pm after a technical snag was reported. Officials initially told commuters that services could resume within 30 minutes, but the disruption continued until at least 3 pm.

The services were finally restored around 3.10 pm, the official handle of Mumbai Metro Line 3 posted on X.

While train operations towards Cuffe Parade resumed later in the afternoon, services towards Aarey were non-operational at the time of reporting.

BKC Metro Station. Pic by Tarun Verma

Major issues

• Lack of communication and timely announcements from Metro authorities
• Poor 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 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

"I reached Marol Metro station around 1 pm, only to be told that Aqua Line services had already been suspended for nearly 20 minutes," said a commuter, who claimed he remained stranded for over three hours amid Friday's disruption on Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Commuters were left waiting inside the station with little clarity on when services would resume, as frustration mounted during the prolonged halt. Metro services eventually resumed around 3 pm, but many passengers said the disruption severely affected their afternoon commute.

Commuters continue to face inconvenience

The repeated disruption triggered frustration among commuters, many of whom had earlier criticised metro authorities for lack of communication and prolonged delays during peak travel hours.

The incident has once again raised concerns over operational reliability and emergency response management on Mumbai's newly operational metro corridor.

Expressing frustration over the disruption, a commuter wrote on X, "Eight of my family members were stranded on the Aqua Line Metro 3 at Dadar station for 40 minutes. There was absolutely no communication, no proper updates, and no refunds. While the display board showed a ‘small delay,' platform staff kept insisting it was only a five-minute halt. Pathetic."

Entry restricted

Entry to the metro stations were restricted as train services on both the up and down lines remain suspended. Only the trains that were stranded with passengers onboard were being moved back to the depot.

Meanwhile, commuters at Marol Naka station were left waiting for hours as train services faced delays.

Marol Naka Metro Station. Pic by Tarun Verma

MMRCL issues refund for stranded passengers

MMRCL said physical ticket holders have been refunded directly, while online commuters have been asked to raise grievances through customer support for refunds.