Mumbai, Aug 20 (NationPress) The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) along with Maha Mumbai Metro announced a series of immediate and long-term strategies aimed at safeguarding passenger safety and preventing future incidents.

This initiative follows an alarming situation where 582 passengers were trapped in a Monorail between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park in central Mumbai's Chembur at 6.38 p.m. due to a power outage attributed to overcrowding. Another Monorail train with 200 passengers also faced a sudden stop between Acharya Atre and Wadala Mono Rail Station at 7.33 p.m.

All passengers were successfully rescued and evacuated.

“The safety of our Monorail passengers remains our utmost priority. We want to reassure all commuters that MMRDA is dedicated to providing a secure and reliable travel experience. Clear directives have been issued to MMMOCL to bolster safety systems and operational vigilance,” stated MMRDA in their release.

To prevent exceeding the maximum load of 104 tonnes per Monorail coach, station personnel have been instructed to enforce strict regulations on passenger entry.

If overcrowding is detected, trains will be temporarily halted and passengers will be safely deboarded before resuming operations. Each train will now include a dedicated security staff member to oversee in-coach crowd levels. In addition, a trained technician will accompany the Monorail Pilot to address any technical issues without delay.

Each Monorail is equipped with 8 ventilation windows (2 in each of the 4 coaches). These windows are being promptly inspected and clearly marked for easy identification to help passengers stay calm and guided in emergencies. Prominent signboards have been placed inside trains, instructing passengers on safety protocols and emergency exits.

More signage will be introduced to ensure that instructions are even more visible and accessible. The Director (Maintenance) is responsible for conducting comprehensive inspections of all Monorail trains to guarantee that all safety measures are being rigorously enforced.

Regarding long-term initiatives, MMRDA has already acquired 10 new Monorail rakes. Seven of these have arrived at the depot and are currently undergoing extensive trials and certification. Once approved, they will be integrated into passenger service, enhancing capacity and alleviating pressure on the existing fleet.

“Monorail remains a crucial mode of transport for Mumbaikars. From immediate fixes to the addition of new trains, every action we take is focused on ensuring a safer, more comfortable, and reliable journey. Importantly, during yesterday’s incident, no passengers were hurt, and all were evacuated safely—this reflects the quick response of our teams. We extend our gratitude to the Municipal Corporation and Fire Brigade for their rapid assistance,” MMRDA emphasized.

“MMRDA is firmly committed to passenger safety and comfort. We will persist in enhancing our systems so that every Mumbaikar can travel with complete assurance,” concluded the release.