Mumbai Monorail to resume after 3-year halt with major upgrades

Mumbai Monorail is set to restart operations during the upcoming monsoon season after a long suspension. Services have been halted since September 20, 2021, due to repeated technical issues and safety concerns. Authorities have now completed major upgrades to bring the system back online. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has procured 10 new Made-in-India Monorail rakes and refurbished the existing fleet. Improvements included installing communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling systems to enhance reliability and safety. The upgrades followed a mandatory independent safety assessment by Bureau Veritas, which certified the new rolling stock and signalling technology.

The final statutory safety inspection of the 19.54-km corridor is expected later this month. A team from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will visit Mumbai next week to inspect the proposed Chembur Metro station, part of Mumbai Metro Line 2B. This station aims to improve multimodal connectivity and boost ridership for the Monorail.

Power Mech Projects has been appointed as the private contractor for the system’s operation and maintenance over the next five years. The revival of the Monorail is also expected to benefit from integration with Metro Line 2B, providing smoother travel options for commuters. Once cleared, the Monorail will resume services after nearly three years of inactivity. The upgrades and new safety certifications aim to prevent past technical failures. Commuters will soon have an additional transport option with improved connections to the Metro network.