Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 22: A complete communication blackout has been reported inside Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line, the city’s first underground corridor, following the shutdown of a third-party infrastructure provider for failing to meet contract conditions.

The disruption has affected services of major telecom operators, including Vodafone Idea and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which were earlier operational along the Worli to Aarey-JVLR stretch.

A spokesperson for Vodafone Idea confirmed that its services are currently impacted, stating that connectivity on the Aqua Line was being provided through Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Company (ACES), whose contract with Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited has now been terminated.

The third-party provider had entered into agreements with telecom operators to enable cellular connectivity within the underground Metro network. However, with the termination of its contract, services have come to a halt, leaving commuters without mobile connectivity inside the corridor.

The move has also reignited concerns among telecom operators, who have opposed the model of appointing a single third-party vendor for such infrastructure. While the system was introduced in line with practices followed in airports and metro networks across the country, telecom companies have argued that it creates a monopoly in providing connectivity.

Authorities are yet to announce a timeline for restoration of services, even as commuters continue to face inconvenience due to the ongoing disruption.