In order to increase the frequency of monorails, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to get rakes through a bidding process. Priority is to have the Wadala-Jacob Circle route commissioned.

Metro Rail News reported that Scomi Engineering was supposed to deliver four-coach trains to help improve frequency by mid-2019. Since they might not be able to do so, there will be a delay. Out of the existing 10 four-coach monorails, only four are operational so far due to maintenance issues.

Hence, the bidding process will help them get through easily instead of having to wait for the contractor. MMRDA will soon invite tenders for purchasing the rakes.

Out of the four operational trains, one is on standby in case of an emergency. The route is nearly 8.9 km long, and the commuters currently wait for 15 minutes to board the train between Chembur and Wadala depot.

Hindustan Times quoted an official on anonymity as saying, “We want to improve the frequency in phase 1 and want to start the Wadala-Jacob Circle section to cater to more commuters. For that, we need rakes immediately. In the meantime, the contractor has been asked to repair the six trains that are in Mumbai. Some of them need retrofitting, or new tyres, etc. Once they are repaired and pressed into service, we can improve the frequency and also start phase 2.”