Mumbai Metro's Aqua Line to Run Till Midnight During Ganeshotsav
Mumbai Metro extends Aqua Line timings till midnight for Ganeshotsav.
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation has extended operating hours on the Aqua Line, also known as Mumbai Metro Line 3, to facilitate travel during the Ganeshotsav celebrations. The extended services will operate from September 14 to September 25, allowing devotees additional time to visit Ganesh pandals and return home. The move is expected to provide a convenient alternative to road travel during a period when several parts of the city experience heavy traffic and large crowds.
Under the extended schedule, the last trains from both Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR will depart at midnight. Normally, the final services from the two terminal stations leave at around 10:30 pm. The additional operating hours are intended to make late-evening travel easier for people attending religious and cultural events across Mumbai during the festival.
The Aqua Line connects several important areas associated with Ganeshotsav celebrations, including locations around Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Worli, Mahalaxmi and Girgaon. With thousands of devotees expected to travel to different pandals, the extended Metro schedule could help reduce dependence on private vehicles and ease pressure on the city's roads. Passengers will also have an alternative to navigating congested routes during peak festival hours.
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The Metro operator has also made provisions for devotees carrying Ganesh idols. Passengers will be allowed to carry idols measuring up to 18 inches, or approximately 45 centimetres, on the Aqua Line. Those travelling with idols will be required to follow the prescribed safety and passenger guidelines while using the Metro system.
The extension is aimed at supporting smoother movement of commuters and devotees during one of Mumbai's busiest festive periods. By keeping services available later into the night, the Metro network is expected to provide greater flexibility to people who spend extended hours visiting pandals or participating in celebrations before beginning their journey home.
MMRC has encouraged Mumbaikars to make use of the extended services during Ganeshotsav. The longer operating window is designed to offer a safer and more convenient public transport option while helping commuters avoid some of the traffic congestion associated with the festival. The initiative is expected to benefit both regular passengers and devotees travelling across the city during the celebrations.
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