The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), nodal agency for city's underground Metro Line 3 connecting Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ, has requested the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) to test the rolling stock for the first phase of underground Metro Line 3. A top official said the RDSO team is expected to visit by the first week of June. In addition to this, MMRC will also obtain other required clearance certificates, including independent safety assessment certificates. Following this, MMRC will approach the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) to initiate commercial operations for Phase 1. The official said they are working diligently to meet the deadline and anticipate the commencement of Phase 1 from Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex soon with availability of 19 rakes of eight cars each. Metro Line 3 is set to become a major arterial line for Mumbai, running in the north–south direction and promising to alleviate road congestion. The entire 33.5–km Metro 3 will connect six commercial business districts, 30 employment offices, 12 educational institutions, 11 major hospitals, 10 transportation hubs, 25 religious and recreational centres, and provide connectivity to both domestic and international airports. It is believed to be the busiest metro line which, once made fully operational in initial years, will likely record ridership of 14 lakh passengers.
