A significant disruption hit the Mumbai Monorail services, causing inconvenience to commuters for three hours along the Chembur-Wadala depot route.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, was triggered by a tyre burst in a guiding wheel of one of the coaches, leading to operational challenges and delays in service resumption. The guiding wheel of a monorail, crucial for steering and stability on the track, experienced a malfunction near the BPCL monorail station around 10 am. As a result, passengers were disembarked at Bhakti Park station, where technicians determined the need for immediate wheel replacement instead of transporting the train to the depot for repairs.
The intricate exercise of replacing the damaged wheel took three hours to complete, causing significant disruption to the monorail services. During this period, only a single line remained operational between Chembur and Wadala depot, with limited services beyond Sant Ghadge Maharaj Chowk. While the incident did not pose any immediate danger to passengers, sources suggested that the tyre burst might have been caused by wear and tear or excessive heat, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks. Addressing the situation, a senior official from Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd assured that the technical glitch had been resolved, and services had returned to normalcy. Proactive measures have also been implemented to prevent similar incidents, particularly as the monsoon season approaches, ensuring the reliability and safety of monorail operations.
The Mumbai Monorail, operating at a frequency of 15 minutes with 142 services, plays a crucial role in the city’s public transportation network. However, incidents such as tyre bursts underscore the operational challenges and the need for robust maintenance protocols to minimise disruptions and ensure passenger safety. As Mumbai continues to expand its urban infrastructure, enhancing the resilience and efficiency of public transportation systems like the monorail remains a priority. By investing in preventive maintenance, technological upgrades, and stringent safety measures, authorities can mitigate risks and uphold service standards, providing commuters with a reliable and seamless travel experience.
