Technical Glitch During Heavy Rain Leaves 582 Stranded on Mumbai Monorail, Authorities Probe Incident
In Mumbai, a technical issue during heavy rain causes the monorail services between Chembur and Bhakti Park to interrupt. Fire authorities rushes to the site and rescues the passengers after they call the civic body helpline number.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) August 20: After almost four hours, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) evacuates all 582 people.
Rescue Operation by Fire and Civic Teams
The passengers were trapped inside the Mumbai monorail. The monorail stops between two stations due to a technical issue during the city's intense rainstorm. On Tuesday night, the fire department and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation conducts the rescue operation.
The event happens at approximately 6:15 p.m.. It happens due to a power supply problem that causes the heavily crowded monorail to abruptly stop on its elevated track.
The shovel becomes trapped between the Chembur station. It is close to the Mysore Colony, and Bhakti Park. Twelve people were admitted to the hospital after complaining of discomfort and suffocation after the incident. According to officials, their situations are stable. They will soon be released from the hospital.
The Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation says, “One Monorail train near Mysore Colony station has experienced a minor power supply issue. Our operations and maintenance teams are already on-site and working to resolve it quickly. For now, services between Wadala and Chembur are running smoothly on a single line. We sincerely thank you for your patience and assure you that your safety remains our top priority” in a statement regarding the issue.
Overcrowding Blamed for Monorail Failure
According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority joint commissioner Astik Pandey, the train was overloaded.
Pandey says, “The capacity of the monorail is 109 metric tonnes. On Tuesday, it was overloaded due to excessive crowds. On a curve, there was a mechanical disconnect of electric current. After that, an emergency brake was deployed, hence the rake stopped working.”
CM Fadnavis Orders Probe
Devendra Fadnavis is the chief minister of Maharashtra. He states during the rescue efforts that he had spoken with the relevant authorities. He also directs an investigation into the situation. Additionally, he cautions the passengers not to panic.
Fadnavis tweets, "Due to some technical reason, a monorail is stuck between Chembur and Bhakti Park. MMRDA, the fire brigade, and the municipal corporation, all agencies have reached the spot. The highest priority is being given to the safety of all passengers. Therefore, no one should worry or panic. All passengers will be safely evacuated. I request everyone to remain patient," on social media platform X.
Major stations are located at Chembur, Wadala, and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk along the 20-kilometer Mumbai monorail system. It has been in service since 2014.
