Mumbai’s Monorail services encountered significant disruptions on Sunday, sparking frustration among commuters. The interruptions were attributed to technical issues with the monorail system, leading to delays despite passenger services not being fully halted.
According to the Mumbai Monorail authorities, the service was impacted by two trains being taken out of operation due to technical problems. In a statement released on ‘X’, the authorities acknowledged the inconvenience, clarifying, “Apologies for any inconvenience caused. While passenger services on the monorail were not halted, two trains were out of service due to technical issues, resulting in delays.”
Launched in February 2014, the Mumbai Monorail operates a 21-kilometre route from Chembur to Jacob Circle (Saat Rasta). Despite its initial potential, the system has struggled with operational reliability, often criticised for its frequent breakdowns and perceived inefficiency. The monorail’s issues are particularly pronounced on Sundays, coinciding with the mega block affecting suburban local trains, which exacerbates service delays. On Sundays, the monorail’s service intervals are notably erratic, with trains running anywhere from 22 minutes to an hour apart, frustrating passengers who anticipate a more consistent schedule.
In an effort to resolve these issues, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the procurement of ten new monorail rakes, with the first batch of “Made in India” rakes having recently arrived and currently undergoing trial runs. The integration of these new rakes is expected to enhance the frequency and reliability of the service. The monorail operates 142 trips daily, with trains running every 18 minutes from Monday to Friday and on an hourly basis on Sundays. The anticipated improvements from the new rakes are hoped to address the frequent service interruptions and better meet the commuting needs of Mumbai’s residents.
