Mumbai Monorail gears up for monsoon relaunch with major upgrades

Mumbai’s Monorail is set to restart operations during the upcoming monsoon season. The revival follows major upgrades, including new trains and an overhauled signalling system. Authorities have also secured the necessary safety certifications for the updated infrastructure. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed the procurement of 10 new Made-in-India Monorail rakes. Alongside this, the existing fleet underwent extensive refurbishment. Upgrades included the installation of a communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling system, designed to improve efficiency and safety.

The Mumbai Monorail recently obtained the mandatory independent safety assessment certification from Bureau Veritas. This approval covers both the new rolling stock and the upgraded signalling system. The final statutory safety inspection of the 19.54-km corridor is scheduled for later this month.

To boost ridership, plans are underway to integrate the Monorail with Mumbai Metro Line 2B. A new Chembur Metro station will be added to the operational Phase 1 stretch of Line 2B, improving multimodal connectivity. A team from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) is expected to inspect the Chembur station next week.

Once services resume, trains will operate at a frequency of around eight minutes. Power Mech Projects has been appointed as the private contractor responsible for the Monorail’s operation and maintenance over the next five years. The Monorail’s return aims to provide a reliable transport option for commuters. Integration with Metro Line 2B and the addition of Chembur station are expected to increase passenger numbers. The system’s restart follows months of technical upgrades and safety checks.