Mumbai Monorail Woes Likely To End: Single Operator Set To Be Awarded Five Year Contract To Combat Problems Of Fragmentation

The Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL) is preparing to award a five‑year contract to a single private operator for the network’s operation and maintenance, Hindustan Times reported.

The move, officials believe, will end years of fragmented management and restore public confidence in India’s only operational monorail corridor.

The 19.54 km route, linking Chembur with Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Jacob Circle), has faced recurring technical issues and service interruptions since its launch on 2 February 2014.

Matters worsened after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) cancelled its agreement with the original consortium Scomi Engineering and Larsen & Toubro in 2018, citing unsatisfactory performance.

Since then, the system has limped along under short‑term annual contracts with multiple private operators, resulting in coordination lapses.

“Whenever a delay or breakdown occurs, there’s confusion over responsibility,” a MMMOCL official was quoted, noting that the new single‑operator model is designed to enforce accountability.

Despite the arrival of new rakes from Hyderabad‑based Medha Servo Drives, service reliability remains low.

On 28 July, for example, just one train covered the entire route, even though 15 rakes—8 refurbished and 7 new were technically available. An eighth new rake is expected this month, with two more likely by November, though many still await full safety clearance.

To support the revival, MMMOCL has floated a Rs 300 crore tender covering the entire system, including 17 stations and the Wadala depot. Under its 2024 plan, the authority hopes to run 12 trains daily, with two on standby and four reserved for maintenance.

Officials say the shift to a single‑operator model could finally bring stability, reduce breakdowns, and help Mumbai’s monorail deliver the dependable service commuters were promised more than a decade ago.

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