The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced that monorail services will be suspended from September 20 to facilitate major system upgrades, including new rolling stock, advanced signalling technology, and refurbishment of the existing fleet. The agency said the planned block will enable faster integration of the new trains, the introduction of a Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system, and an overhaul of critical components, promising safer, smoother, and more reliable services for commuters.
For the first time in Mumbai, an indigenously developed CBTC signalling system from Hyderabad will be deployed on the monorail. According to officials, the installation work has been progressing with electronic interlockings, Wi-Fi access points, RFID tags, and train detection systems already in place. Wayside signalling work has also been completed and integrated testing is under way.
The suspension comes after a series of recent service disruptions that have drawn sharp criticism. On September 15, a monorail train halted abruptly between Antop Hill and GTBN station due to a technical snag, stranding 17 passengers who had to be evacuated after nearly 45 minutes. Less than a month earlier, on August 19, two trains broke down during heavy rains, leaving more than 700 passengers stranded for hours in overcrowded and stifling conditions. Following these incidents, MMRDA suspended two senior officials and introduced new safety protocols, including enhanced emergency equipment, on-board staff deployment, and stricter crowd management.
The monorail, which connects Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk to Chembur via Wadala, has long struggled with technical failures and low ridership. Authorities hope that the suspension and upgrades will restore commuter confidence. However, the exact duration of the shutdown has not been announced, leaving regular users to seek alternative modes of transport in the interim.
