Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed all Metro and Monorail operators to submit detailed emergency management plans. The move comes after repeated service disruptions and aims to improve coordination and response mechanisms in case of public transport emergencies.
The directive was issued during a joint review meeting of the Mumbai City and Suburban District Emergency Management Authorities (DEMAs) at the BMC headquarters. Officials instructed Metro and Monorail agencies to share their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and submit updated emergency readiness frameworks to ensure swift action during crisis situations. The meeting followed the August 19 monorail breakdown near Bhakti Park in Chembur that left commuters stranded for several hours after a technical fault halted services between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park. The incident highlighted critical gaps in the city’s rapid response system, prompting civic authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of its transport emergency management structure.
Senior civic officials, disaster management experts, and representatives from power utilities and transport agencies participated in the review. The discussions focused on improving inter-agency communication, refining standard protocols, and conducting frequent mock drills to test operational preparedness. Officials emphasised that public transport in Mumbai—especially elevated and underground systems—demands robust safety protocols and periodic training for on-ground staff. Regular simulation exercises, they said, can significantly reduce evacuation delays and help agencies handle technical or safety-related incidents more efficiently.
The civic body also stressed that emergency management planning should incorporate new-age technologies, such as real-time tracking and centralised command monitoring, to detect system failures early. Collaboration between agencies like the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and the State Disaster Control Room will be vital in strengthening this framework. According to experts, these reforms are crucial as Mumbai expands its urban rail network under the broader vision of developing low-carbon, equitable mobility systems. Strengthening safety measures ensures public confidence in mass transit and supports the city’s long-term sustainability goals.
Officials noted that BMC’s proactive stance on integrating emergency management within transport operations signals a shift towards more resilient and citizen-focused governance. Once implemented, these reforms are expected to set a new benchmark in urban safety planning, making Mumbai’s public transport not just efficient but also more secure and dependable.
Also Read: Pune Railway Fines Vendor for Overpricing, Reinforces Passenger Rights
