Mumbai’s Brand-New Underground Metro Station Flooded Amid Record Rainfall

Barely two weeks after its inauguration, Mumbai’s newly operational underground metro station at Acharya Atre Chowk on Aqua Line 3 was submerged in water following heavy overnight rain, prompting authorities to suspend services along part of the route.

The incident has raised serious concerns about infrastructure readiness as the southwest monsoon arrived in the city 16 days ahead of schedule — the earliest in 25 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The relentless rainfall, which has already broken a 107-year record for the month of May, inundated several areas, including key metro infrastructure.

The Acharya Atre Chowk metro station, part of Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line 3, was made operational on May 10, 2025. It serves as a vital link between the Bandra-Kurla Complex and Worli, both major business and commercial hubs in Mumbai. The flooding of this critical station came as a major embarrassment to the authorities and an inconvenience to commuters who had just started using the route.

In a public notice, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) announced:
“Due to an unforeseen technical issue, train services on Metro Line-3 are temporarily curtailed and will operate only up to Worli Station instead of Acharya Atre Chowk.”

MMRCL later issued a clarification, explaining that the water seepage occurred at an under-construction portion of the station’s entry and exit structure. The RCC (reinforced cement concrete) water-retaining wall reportedly collapsed due to sudden water influx from an adjacent utility, leading to flooding. Authorities confirmed that the affected area is not open to public access and that all steps are being taken to ensure passenger safety.

“This portion of the entry/exit where water seepage was observed is still under construction and not accessible to the public. As a precautionary measure, and to ensure passenger safety, train services between Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk have been temporarily suspended,” the press release added.

Despite the partial closure, metro services on the rest of Line 3 remain operational. However, the flooding has triggered criticism about preparedness, particularly with Mumbai’s annual monsoon season known for its intensity and the city’s long-standing battle with waterlogging.

As Mumbai continues to receive heavy rainfall with the monsoon’s early arrival, authorities are now under pressure to conduct immediate repairs and review flood mitigation systems across all new infrastructure projects to avoid further disruptions in the weeks ahead.

IT.