Mumbai Monorail Faces Third Full Halt in Eight Years Amid Major Upgrade Push
Mumbai’s monorail network, long plagued by technical glitches, is set for another complete operational pause starting September 20, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) pushes forward with a comprehensive system upgrade.
The announcement came Tuesday, just one day after the service faced its fourth disruption in under a month due to a train failure. MMRDA has not specified a resumption date for the full 20-km line, which connects Chembur to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Jacob Circle). This marks the third such total shutdown since the project’s inception nearly eight years ago, following an eight-month halt during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
According to MMRDA, the closure is essential to incorporate fresh rolling stock, activate a cutting-edge signaling setup, and renovate the existing fleet. The upgrade aims to accelerate the deployment of the homegrown communication-based train control (CBTC) technology, designed to shorten train intervals and bolster safety measures. Progress so far includes the installation of five electronic interlockings, 260 Wi-Fi access points, 500 RFID tags, and 90 train detection units, with ongoing integrated trials.
The downtime will also enable the rollout of 10 new “Make in India” rakes from Medha-SMH Rail—eight of which have arrived for seamless integration. It provides a chance to modify older trains, train personnel, and conduct uninterrupted commissioning, which is currently squeezed into a mere 3.5-hour overnight slot amid regular runs.
Defending the decision, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads MMRDA, stated, “The block is a vital step in strengthening Mumbai’s transport backbone. With new rakes, advanced CBTC signalling and refurbishment, we will bring back the monorail in a stronger form.” MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee echoed this, calling it “a carefully thought-out step to rejuvenate the monorail” and appealing for public patience.
The monorail, often labeled Mumbai’s most problematic public transit initiative since its debut, has battled recurring faults and underwhelming usage. On Monday, a malfunction near Wadala prompted the safe evacuation of 17 passengers and restricted operations on a single track between Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk and Wadala for two hours, causing delays. Earlier halts hit on August 19 and 21 from breakdowns, and August 29 due to motor issues.
Excluding the pandemic period, the last extended closure lasted nine months from November 2017, triggered by a fire on an empty train near Mysore Colony in Chembur. Dubbed a “white elephant,” the system is projected to post a Rs 529 crore net loss for 2023-24, up from prior shortfalls of Rs 100 crore to Rs 250 crore annually.
Launched in phases Chembur-Wadala in February 2014 and the full route in March 2019 the line was touted by then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to attract 1 lakh daily riders. Reality has fallen short, with average patronage lingering at about 18,000 passengers per day.