The Mumbai Monorail will temporarily stop operations from September 20, as part of a major system upgrade aimed at making services safer, faster, and more reliable for commuters, an official statement said on Tuesday.The decision comes after recent technical snags, halting the Mumbai Monorail. “This planned block will allow faster integration of new rolling stock, advanced Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling upgrades, and refurbishment of the existing fleet, ensuring safer, smoother, and more reliable operations for Mumbaikars,” a note said.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the chairman of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), said, “The block is a vital step in strengthening Mumbai’s transport backbone. The introduction of new rakes, advanced CBTC signalling, and the refurbishment of the existing fleet will ensure safer and more reliable services for citizens. This short block is necessary to complete the work with speed and precision. With the cooperation of Mumbaikars, we will bring back the monorail in a stronger form.”
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, “This temporary block is a carefully thought-out step to rejuvenate the monorail. By inducting new rakes, deploying advanced CBTC signalling, and refurbishing the existing fleet, we are ensuring that the system becomes safer, more dependable, and future-ready.”
Why suspension is necessary
With services running daily from 6.15 am to 11.30 pm, only 3.5 hours at night remain for installation and testing. This limited window slows progress, as safety protocols require the power rail to be switched off, discharged, and recharged before each day’s operations. The suspension period will enable uninterrupted installation, commissioning, and integrated testing of new rakes and signalling systems. It will also facilitate complete overhauling and retrofitting of older rakes for glitch-free performance. “In recent weeks, technical issues have affected services. To address these concerns, MMRDA has constituted a committee for detailed enquiry and has decided to temporarily suspend operations to ensure long-term reliability,” a note added.
Major upgrades that are in progress
>> The Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system, indigenously developed in Hyderabad, is being installed for the first time in the Mumbai Monorail.
>> Five electronic interlockings have been installed across 32 locations, and testing is underway.
>> 260 Wi-Fi access points, 500 Radio Frequency Identification tags, 90 train detection systems, and multiple WATC units already installed.
>> Wayside signalling work has been completed, and integrated testing is in progress. This state-of-the-art system will enhance safety, reduce train intervals, and improve service reliability.
