Mumbai’s new Metro Line 3 faced flooding and service disruption at Acharya Atre Chowk station just 16 days post-launch. Commuters and leaders called it a failure of planning and execution. The incident has sparked outrage as many believed the underground Metro would be resilient to downpours a known challenge in the city
Acharya Atre Chowk Station near Worli Naka was shut as overnight and morning rains brought Mumbai to a standstill. Pics/Ashish Raje
Two years ago, the MMRCL had stated that the underground Metro Line 3, connecting Colaba to SEEPZ via Bandra-Kurla Complex, would be completely flood-proof. However, just a fortnight — 16 days to be precise — after its inauguration, that promise went down the drain. On Monday, after heavy rains lashed the city, Metro rail services had to be curtailed up to Worli Metro Station instead of Acharya Atre Chowk, which was flooded. There was also serious infrastructure damage. Sources revealed that a slab inside the Acharya Atre Chowk Metro Station collapsed, and ticket-scanning machines were dislodged by the force of water.
Official statement
An official statement from MMRCL said: “Due to sudden and intense rainfall today, water seepage was reported at the under-construction entry/exit structure of Acharya Atre Chowk Station. The RCC water-retaining wall collapsed due to a sudden ingress of water from an adjoining utility. This portion is still under construction and not accessible to the public. As a precaution, train services between Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk have been suspended. However, services between Aarey JVLR and Worli are running regularly... We regret the inconvenience and request commuters’ cooperation. Services will resume only once it is fully safe.”
Authorities advise commuters to avoid using the Metro
Sources indicated that trains between Aarey JVLR and Worli were running slower. “It usually takes 20 minutes from Marol Naka to BKC, but today it took at least 35 minutes,” said Neerav Rasaal, a regular commuter.
‘Shoddy execution’
Worli MLA and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the government, questioning why the Metro Line was launched when the water-retaining wall wasn’t complete. He called it “shoddy execution.” Opposition leader from the Congress, MP Varsha Gaikwad, posted on X: “The newly opened Mumbai Metro 3 — the much-hyped underground Metro. The platform is flooded, water is leaking from the roof and flowing down the stairs. Acharya Atre station shut, traffic suspended! Does the ‘Mahabrashth Yuti’ even care how dangerous a submerged underground Metro is? Why weren’t checks and safeguards in place? Why wasn’t enough precaution taken? How can citizens trust the underground Metro on rainy days? The government must answer and take responsibility.”
Commuters annoyed
The incident has sparked outrage as many believed the underground Metro would be resilient to downpours — a known challenge in the city
Surya Singhal, commuter
‘This was an obvious challenge to prepare for, considering Mumbai’s history with monsoon flooding. We’ve seen train services halt for decades because of waterlogged tracks. Didn’t the authorities learn anything? I remember reading that they used some of the most advanced technology for this Metro. But there was no marvel in what we saw yesterday — only another massive disappointment’
Nandini Maluja, Metro Aqua Line 3 commuter
‘Is this why cities like Mumbai pay the Metro cess? This Metro was meant to make commuting easier. But, it’s just another example of poor planning. When I reached the station the lift wasn’t working and the entrance was shut. The guard told me to take the train from Worli instead, but I couldn’t find a taxi for 20 minutes. It was raining heavily, so I just booked a cab home to Andheri. What’s the use of such services if they can’t even handle their first rain?’
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