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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced that the 20-km Mumbai Monorail network will be shut from September 20 for a two-month upgrade programme. The decision follows a series of technical failures in recent weeks, including trains stalling during heavy rain. The upgrade plan involves inducting new rakes, installing an advanced signalling system, and overhauling the existing fleet. Once complete, train frequency is expected to improve to 8-10 minutes. The system, first launched in 2014 but plagued with frequent breakdowns, will be operated by Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) after the upgrade.
The Mumbai Monorail will not operate from September 20 as the MMRDA begins a major upgrade aimed at improving reliability and passenger safety. The 20-km corridor between Chembur and Jacob Circle will remain shut for nearly two months, with services expected to resume only after the overhaul is completed. Advertisement
The step was taken after at least six service disruptions were reported in the past month. On September 9, a train broke down on a curve during heavy rain, leaving 17 passengers stranded until they were rescued. On August 19, less than a month before, two trains were stopped due to heavy rain, forcing the evacuation of 1,148 passengers. Officials said such recurring incidents underlined the urgent need for a full-scale upgrade.
To carry out the work, the entire network will be shut since services currently operate from 6.15 am to 11.30 pm, giving authorities little scope to take up upgrades at night
The plan includes introducing 10 new rakes manufactured by Medha in collaboration with Malaysia's SMH Rail. Eight have already been delivered, while the ninth is under inspection and the tenth is being assembled. The existing fleet will undergo refurbishment to extend its operational life.
A new signalling system developed by Hyderabad-based Medha is being installed for the first time on the Mumbai Monorail. It will allow trains and two to three spare rakes to run at a speed that supports a frequency of 16-20 minutes, with the system eventually enabling services every 8-10 minutes instead of the current 20-25 minutes.
In addition, integrated testing is under way for 260 Wi-Fi access points, 500 RFID tags for real-time train tracking, and 90 train detection systems. The upgraded network will be operated by Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), which also manages metro services in the city.
According to officials, the network must be shut down completely because night-time maintenance is not feasible with the present operating schedule. The upgraded services will be run by MMMOCL, which also manages Mumbai Metro operations.
Mumbai Monorail, inaugurated in 2014 as India's first monorail system, has struggled with breakdowns, low ridership and limited frequency. Despite an extension to Jacob Circle in 2019, it has failed to attract consistent commuter numbers compared to the city's metro and suburban railway systems. The upcoming upgrade is expected to address some of these issues.
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