Mumbai : A safety trial of the city’s monorail system turned alarming on Wednesday when a monorail coach tilted off the tracks at the Wadala depot during a signal testing exercise. The trial was being conducted as part of ongoing signalling system upgrades by the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) and its contractor Medha SMH Rail Pvt. Ltd.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred when a track-switch was activated just as the train reached the junction, causing it to lose balance. Officials later clarified that this was part of a “controlled testing situation” meant to simulate extreme scenarios, but concerns about passenger safety have since intensified.
Monorail services in Mumbai have been suspended since September 20 following a series of technical issues. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now formed a committee to look into the technical aspects and ensure that the upgradation process stays on schedule.
While no injuries were reported, videos of the tilted monorail have gone viral, reigniting debate about the reliability of Mumbai’s ambitious monorail project a system that has struggled with operational and safety challenges since its launch.
