Mumbai, Nov 5 (NationPress) A Monorail rake in Mumbai derailed on Wednesday morning near its car depot in Wadala around 9:30 AM. The incident occurred during a trial run of a newly-delivered monorail rake from Medha Servo Drives, while the train was transitioning between guideway beams when it unexpectedly slipped off.

In a monorail system, a guideway beam operates as a support, leading to one of the coaches detaching and causing damage to the rake’s undercarriage.

Nevertheless, the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL), a subsidiary of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), issued a statement describing the incident as “minor” during routine signalling trials.

“The situation was swiftly controlled, and no injuries were reported among any staff or personnel. At the time of the incident, two technical staff members, including the monorail operator, were conducting the trials in a fully protected environment, in compliance with all safety protocols.

“These trials are intended to replicate extreme or 'worst-case' scenarios to assess system responses and guarantee complete readiness before actual deployment. Thus, such controlled situations are integral to the standard testing process,” stated the release from MMMOCL.

“MMMOCL reassures that these are merely internal trials and not operational failures, urging citizens to remain calm. Regular trials, conducted by Medha SMH Rail Pvt Ltd, continue without disruption.

“To adhere to project timelines and minimize commuter inconvenience, some trials are being carried out on holidays. MMMOCL is dedicated to implementing world-class safety measures and providing a safe, reliable, and technologically advanced transportation system for Mumbai,” the release emphasized.

As part of an ongoing technology upgrade program, MMMOCL is performing a series of advanced system trials, including the testing of the new Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling technology on the monorail system, implemented by Medha SMH Rail Pvt Ltd, the designated contractor. This initiative aims to improve operational safety, efficiency, and reliability.

Previously, MMRDA suspended monorail services from September 20 for system upgrades and future-ready operations.

Consequently, monorail services in both directions between Chembur and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk remain suspended until further notice.

During this period, retrofitting of older rakes will also take place to ensure they can resume service without technical issues.

In recent weeks, technical problems had impacted services. To tackle these concerns, MMRDA has formed a committee for an in-depth inquiry and opted to temporarily halt operations for long-term reliability, as stated in their release.

MMRDA noted that the service suspension was necessary because the daily service operates from 6:15 AM to 11:30 PM, leaving only 3.5 hours at night for installation and testing. This limited timeframe hampers progress, as safety protocols require the power rail to be turned off, discharged, and recharged before each day’s operations.

“The suspension period will facilitate uninterrupted installation, commissioning, and comprehensive testing of new rakes and signaling systems. It will also allow for the complete refurbishment and retrofitting of older rakes to ensure seamless performance and enable manpower training for upcoming Metro operations,” MMRDA stated in their release.

This planned block aims to expedite the integration of new rolling stock, advanced CBTC signaling upgrades, and the refurbishment of the existing fleet, ensuring safer, smoother, and more reliable operations for Mumbaikars, according to MMRDA.

This decision followed an incident on September 15, when a monorail train halted unexpectedly in Wadala, leaving 17 passengers stranded. The service disruption coincided with heavy overnight rainfall in Mumbai, leading to significant waterlogging in low-lying areas.

On August 25, two monorail trains experienced breakdowns amid intense rain, stranding hundreds of passengers. All 782 passengers were later rescued. In the first incident, a train with 582 passengers got stuck between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park at 6:38 PM due to a power supply issue caused by overloading.

Another train, carrying 200 passengers, halted between Acharya Atre and Wadala Mono Rail Station at 7:33 PM. Passengers were evacuated after the train was towed back to Wadala station.