Heavy rain leads to Mumbai monorail malfunction, 582 passengers successfully extricated
In a recent incident, Mumbai's monorail service experienced a breakdown between Chembur and Bhakti Park, leaving 582 passengers stranded for nearly three hours. The disruption coincided with relentless monsoon rains in Mumbai.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the authority responsible for the Mumbai Monorail system, is investigating the cause of the breakdown. According to initial reports, the breakdown was caused by a mechanical disconnection between the power rail and the current collector, cutting off the electricity supply.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that overcrowding also contributed to the train tilting. The monorail service, designed as a limited-capacity feeder service, is not built to manage sudden surges in ridership. Officials said the crowding was "uncontrollable" due to unusually high demand.
Visuals showed anxious passengers attempting to break open windows as panic spread inside the coaches. Many passengers complained of suffocation after the air-conditioning shut down. Fourteen passengers were treated on-site for breathing difficulties.
Rescue operations were taken over by the Mumbai Fire Brigade, which deployed three snorkel vehicles to evacuate passengers in batches. Another monorail was dispatched to tow the stalled train, but it failed due to the excess load.
This is not the first technical setback for the Mumbai Monorail. In August 2024, a similar breakdown left passengers stranded. Earlier this year, a rake carrying school children came to a halt mid-journey due to a technical fault.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that all passengers were safe. An inquiry has been announced into the incident.
The incident also highlighted another issue, as the Mithi river had reached danger levels, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant during the monsoon season and follow safety guidelines.
The Mumbai Monorail incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced during the monsoon season in Mumbai, where heavy rains and overcrowding can lead to unexpected disruptions in public transportation.
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