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An unauthorised borewell drilling activity near Metro Cinema in South Mumbai resulted in damage to a section of the underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 tunnel close to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The work was carried out within a government premises without the required permissions, leading the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation to file a police complaint against the contractor. Authorities confirmed that metro services continued without disruption. The incident has raised concerns about unregulated excavation in sensitive zones where prior approvals are mandatory to protect critical underground infrastructure.
A section of the underground tunnel of Mumbai Metro Line 3 was damaged after an unauthorised borewell drilling activity was carried out in South Mumbai near the Metro Cinema area, close to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The drilling was undertaken within the premises of a government office without obtaining the necessary permissions from the relevant authorities. Advertisement
According to officials, the activity was being conducted by a private contractor engaged in water-related work. While attempting to drill an additional borewell in the Dhobi Talav area, the equipment reportedly struck the metro tunnel beneath the surface, resulting in a minor breach measuring a few inches. The location falls within a zone that is considered sensitive due to the presence of underground metro infrastructure.
Following the incident, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation carried out an inspection of the affected tunnel section. After assessing the damage, the corporation lodged a complaint at Azad Maidan Police Station against the contractor responsible for the drilling activity. Police officials have registered the case against the operator of a private firm for carrying out excavation work without prior approval.
Authorities have clarified that metro operations on the Colaba Bandra SEEPZ corridor were not affected by the incident. Train services continued as normal, and no disruption was reported to commuters using the underground line, which connects key business districts and transport hubs across the city.
Officials from the metro corporation have also reiterated that any excavation or construction activity within a defined influence zone around the metro alignment requires prior clearance. In this case, no permissions had been obtained from either metro authorities or civic bodies before initiating the borewell work. The tunnel lies in proximity to a densely developed urban stretch, where multiple underground utilities and transport systems are present.
The corridor itself, which became operational in October 2025, is one of Mumbai's key underground metro routes and connects important nodes including business districts and railway terminals. Since its commissioning, it has been handling steady passenger traffic while operating beneath some of the city's most congested areas.
This incident adds to ongoing concerns regarding unregulated digging and construction activities in areas with critical underground infrastructure. Authorities have stressed the importance of compliance with safety norms and coordination between contractors and civic agencies to avoid similar situations in the future.
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