By Mayuresh Ganapatye,News18,Pathikrit Sen Gupta
Copyright news18
Mumbai’s monorail, which has been ferrying commuters between Chembur and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk, will come to a temporary halt from September 20, 2025, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) undertakes a large-scale upgrade of the system. The suspension, officials said, is necessary to speed up ongoing modernisation works, including the induction of new rakes, advanced signalling technology, and refurbishment of the existing fleet.
The decision comes after a series of technical glitches in recent weeks, which had raised concerns among daily users about the system’s reliability. With the monorail operating nearly 18 hours a day, engineers were left with just a 3.5-hour window at night to carry out installations and testing. “This limited time was slowing down progress. Safety protocols require switching off, discharging, and recharging the power rail each night, which makes it difficult to achieve meaningful upgrades,” an MMRDA official explained. The suspension will now give engineers uninterrupted access to tracks and trains, enabling faster and safer completion of the work.
Among the key upgrades is the installation of the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, developed indigenously in Hyderabad. It is the first time such advanced signalling is being introduced on the monorail, promising better safety, reduced waiting time between trains, and more reliable service. Already, major groundwork has been completed—with five electronic interlockings, hundreds of Wi-Fi access points, RFID tags, and train detection systems in place. Simultaneously, MMRDA is inducting 10 new made-in-India rakes built by Medha and SMH Rail, eight of which have already been delivered. The remaining two are at the inspection and assembly stages. Older rakes, too, will undergo retrofitting and overhauling during this period.
Assuring citizens that the shutdown is temporary, senior leaders emphasised the long-term benefits. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who also chairs MMRDA, said, “This block is a vital step in strengthening Mumbai’s transport backbone. The introduction of new rakes, advanced CBTC signalling, and the refurbishment of the existing fleet will ensure safer and more reliable services for citizens. With the cooperation of Mumbaikars, we will bring back the Monorail in a stronger form.” Echoing the sentiment, metropolitan commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee added that the step was “carefully thought out to rejuvenate the monorail” and will give citizens “renewed strength, reliability, and confidence in the system”.
For now, MMRDA has urged commuters to plan their travel, as monorail services in both directions will remain suspended “until further notice”. But the agency assured that the temporary break is aimed squarely at giving Mumbai a safer, smoother, and future-ready monorail experience.
In recent weeks, the monorail has faced repeated setbacks, highlighting the urgency of the current suspension. On August 19, 2025, heavy rains led to a power outage that stalled two trains mid-journey—one near Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park, and another between Acharya Atre and Wadala. Overcrowding inside coaches worsened the situation, with passengers complaining of suffocation before rescue teams evacuated them after hours of delay. Just weeks later, on September 15, 2025, a power supply glitch brought another train to a halt between Antop Hill Bus Depot and GTB Nagar stations, leaving 17 passengers stranded until they were safely evacuated. These back-to-back disruptions not only stranded hundreds of commuters but also raised fresh concerns over the system’s reliability, prompting MMRDA to push ahead with a complete overhaul.
