12 June,2026 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The initiative is expected to reduce commuting costs for students while encouraging greater use of sustainable public transport, said MMRC. Representational pic
In a move aimed at making public transport more affordable for students, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC) has extended the benefit of its Student Concession Trip Pass facility on the Aqua Line to those pursuing graduation courses.
The revised eligibility criteria allow students enrolled in full-time courses at recognised schools, colleges, polytechnics, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Mumbai to avail of a 25 per cent concession on metro travel using the MMRC- National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) Card.
According to MMRC, eligible students can choose between a 45-trip pass and a 60-trip pass under the concession scheme. The student pass will be issued exclusively on MMRC-NCMC Cards through authorised Points of Sale (PoS) at Aqua Line stations after verification of the required documents.
The initiative is expected to reduce commuting costs for students while encouraging greater use of sustainable public transport.
MMRC said the move reflects its commitment to providing students with a safe, reliable and economical mode of travel, while also promoting wider adoption of the Aqua Line.
Students can visit the official MMRC website for detailed eligibility criteria, application procedures, and additional information related to the Student Concession Trip Pass.
Network rollout activities are progressing on priority, and passengers are expected to receive full mobile coverage along the complete stretch from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade within the next month, MMRC claims.
Telecom operators have commenced activation of their networks in a phased manner across the Aqualine. Airtel and Vodafone Idea have switched on their mobile services in Phase 1 of the corridor, covering the section from SEEPZ to BKC. Vodafone Idea is extending services in Phase 2A up to Acharya Atre Chowk and is targeting coverage up to Cuffe Parade shortly, while Airtel aims to complete its rollout by the end of June.
Jio has completed its survey and will commence deployment soon, with expected completion across the corridor by July.
In a separate update, MMRC said mobile network services have been expanded on sections of the Aqua Line. Commuters on the Aqua Line, have long been troubled by the lack of mobile network connectivity in the underground corridor.
Airtel users can now access mobile connectivity between Aarey JVLR and BKC, while Vi (Vodafone Idea) subscribers will have network access from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk.
For commuters who have spent months staring at "No Service" on their phones, whether the latest rollout is too little, too late is something only time will tell.
Vi announced that the rollout across Phase 2 of the metro covering 11 stations from Science Centre Metro Station to Cuffe Parade is currently underway. Speaking on the development, Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea, commented "Reliable connectivity is an essential part of everyone's daily commute. We are very pleased that our service is available on Aqua Line Phase 1 of the Mumbai Metro network, Phase 2 will go live soon. This deployment reflects our continued commitment to strengthening network availability across key customer touchpoints, and delivering a seamless connectivity experience in high-density urban environments."
Vi today informed that its mobile network services are live across 16 stations from Aarey JVLR to Acharya Atre Chowk (including SEEPZ, MIDC Andheri, Marol Naka, CSMI Airport T2, Sahar Road, CSMI Airport T1, Santacruz, Bandra Colony, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Shitla Devi Mandir, Dadar, Siddhivinayak, Worli).
