Mumbai Metro's Aqua Line Debut: Connectivity Challenges Cloud Inaugural Day

The newly opened Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Phase-1, stretching from Bandra-Kurla Complex to Aarey, saw its first day with only 15,000 passengers using the service against an expected 4 lakh. Initial hiccups like safety door glitches, connectivity issues, and multiple apps were highlighted as areas needing improvement.

Mumbai's brand-new Metro corridor, the Aqua Line Phase-1 connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex to Aarey, had a less than anticipated turnout on its debut day, managing just 15,000 passengers against the expected 4 lakh.

The inauguration saw teething problems such as disconnected route planning and a lack of streamlined digital access through a single app, dampening an ambitious start, officials admitted.

The new addition aims to cut down the commute to 25 minutes, marking a significant improvement over road travel time during peak hours, offering a swift yet incomplete answer to Mumbai's transport challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)