Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL) is set to hand over operations and maintenance of the entire network to a single private operator under a five-year contract. The move is part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency, reliability, and accountability in a system that has suffered from chronic service disruptions, technical failures, and underutilisation.
The nearly 20-km Chembur to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk corridor, which has been operational since 2014, has consistently struggled to meet service standards. Frequent breakdowns and inadequate rolling stock have meant that the daily target of 142 services is rarely met. Currently, services operate between 5.48 am and 11 pm, with each train expected to cover approximately 350 km per day. However, on several occasions, only one or two rakes have been available for operations, severely limiting service frequency. The MMMOCL, a subsidiary of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), has floated a ₹300 crore tender for this comprehensive overhaul. The contract includes full operations and maintenance responsibilities across the corridor, 17 stations, and the Wadala depot. Importantly, the tender excludes joint ventures, thereby ensuring singular operational accountability.
Since the termination of the previous contract with the original operator in 2018 due to unresolved performance issues, the monorail has been run under a fragmented system involving short-term contracts with multiple agencies. This structure has been widely criticised for a lack of coordination and recurring blame-shifting during service failures. A long-term contract with one private entity is expected to bring cohesion and stronger oversight to the system. Despite the delivery of new rakes from Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives, several of these trains are yet to receive full safety clearance. Out of 15 rakes promised by the original supplier, only 10 were delivered, with new suppliers now attempting to fill the gap. As of July-end, only one operational rake was servicing the full corridor, despite eight old and seven new trains technically being available. The plan is to eventually deploy 12 rakes daily, keep two on standby, and reserve four for scheduled maintenance.
Under the 2024 revival blueprint, MMMOCL has committed to achieving regular and reliable service patterns, supported by adequate fleet deployment and strengthened technical support. With the new five-year contract, city officials hope the monorail system can finally deliver on its original promise of offering last-mile, eco-friendly, and congestion-reducing public transport in central Mumbai. As the city pushes towards sustainable urban mobility, a robust and well-managed monorail could play a significant role in easing commuter load from suburban rail and road networks, provided the long-standing systemic issues are finally addressed through this reform.
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