Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 5: A Mumbai Monorail rake derailed on Wednesday morning near the Wadala depot during a trial run of a newly delivered train, officials said. The incident occurred around 9:30 AM when the train, manufactured by Medha Servo Drives, was being shifted from one guideway beam to another and reportedly slipped off, damaging its undercarriage.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) subsidiary, Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL), described the derailment as a “minor incident” and confirmed that no staff or personnel were injured. Two technical staff members, including the monorail operator, were conducting the trial at the time.
“These trials are conducted in fully controlled environments to simulate extreme scenarios and test system responses before operational deployment. All safety protocols were strictly followed, and the situation was immediately contained,” MMMOCL said in a statement.
The agency reassured commuters that this incident occurred during internal trials, not regular operations, and that ongoing tests by Medha SMH Rail Pvt Ltd remain unaffected. To expedite technology upgrades, some trials are conducted on holidays to minimize disruption.
MMRDA is currently carrying out an extensive system upgrade, including the installation of Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling technology, aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and reliability. Services on the Monorail line between Chembur and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk have been suspended since September 20 to allow uninterrupted testing, retrofitment of old rakes, and integration of new rolling stock.
“The suspension period allows full-scale installation, commissioning, and integrated testing of new rakes and signaling systems. It also enables retrofitting of older trains for glitch-free operation and manpower training for upcoming Metro services,” the authority said.
The recent derailment follows multiple technical disruptions in recent months. On September 15, a monorail train halted abruptly in Wadala during heavy overnight rain, stranding 17 passengers. Earlier, on August 25, two trains broke down amid torrential rainfall, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. In one incident, a train carrying 582 passengers stalled between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park due to a power supply issue, while another train with 200 passengers halted between Acharya Atre and Wadala stations. All passengers were safely evacuated.
MMRDA emphasized that these upgrades and trials are part of ongoing efforts to deliver a safer, technologically advanced, and reliable monorail service for Mumbai residents.