India, Aug. 12 -- On the eve of Independence Day and with local body polls approaching, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will preside over a string of infrastructure inaugurations in Mumbai - from flyovers and bridges to a motormen training centre and redeveloped housing. But the much-awaited third phase of Metro-3, between Worli and Cuffe Parade, will not be part of the current spree, with officials indicating a launch towards the end of August.

The 9.1-km stretch, part of the Aqua Line, had initially been expected to open on August 15, but a Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) official said work on two Kalbadevi stations - slowed by the area's dense and congested layout - is still being completed. "We are targeting an inauguration by ...