Imagine a futuristic train gliding above the bustling streets of Mumbai, only to suddenly derail during a routine test. That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday morning when a Mumbai monorail rake veered off its track near the Wadala car depot, sparking an emergency response. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this just a minor glitch, or does it expose deeper issues plaguing India’s only operational monorail system?**
The incident occurred around 9:30 am during a trial run of a newly delivered rake manufactured by Medha Servo Drives. The train was in the process of switching between guideway beams—the monorail equivalent of railway tracks—when it derailed, causing one coach to plummet and severely damaging the undercarriage. A motorman, who sustained injuries, was promptly rescued by emergency teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and police. Thankfully, no passengers were on board, as this was a testing train. Chandrakant Kakade, president of the Monorail Workers’ Association, pointed to a potential glitch in the track-switching mechanism as the cause. ‘It could have been a major disaster if passengers were involved,’ he remarked, raising questions about the system’s safety protocols.
And this is the part most people miss: Mumbai’s monorail has been plagued by technical issues and service disruptions, particularly during the monsoon season. In August, a train stalled between stations, stranding 582 passengers for nearly four hours during heavy rain. Another breakdown in September left 17 passengers stranded near Wadala. These recurring problems led the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to suspend services on September 20 for a major overhaul. The plan includes integrating new rolling stock, upgrading to a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system for enhanced safety, and refurbishing the aging fleet.
The Mumbai Monorail, a straddle-beam system, currently operates on a 20-km corridor connecting Chembur, Wadala, and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk. Managed by the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), it first opened in phases—Wadala to Chembur in 2014 and the extension to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk in 2019. Despite being India’s only monorail network, ridership has fallen far below expectations, raising doubts about its long-term viability.
Here’s the burning question: Can Mumbai’s monorail overcome its technical challenges and live up to its promise as a modern transit solution, or is it destined to remain a troubled experiment? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this contentious issue!
