Mumbai Monorail services to be suspended from Sept 20, here’s why

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced the temporary suspension of Mumbai Monorail services from September 20 to facilitate modernisation and technical upgrades.

According to the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd, the suspension will enable the installation of new rolling stock, an advanced CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) signaling system, and major repair work on the existing rakes.

The suspension will affect services on the Chembur-Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk route until further notice. Citizens have been advised to plan alternative travel arrangements.

Officials said the CBTC system, developed in Hyderabad, is being introduced for the first time in the monorail. So far, five electronic interlockings have been set up at 32 locations, with 260 Wi-Fi access points, 500 RFID tags, and 90 train detection units already installed. Integrated testing is currently underway.

Services are being suspended as the existing 3.5-hour maintenance window at night is insufficient for such extensive upgrades. The shutdown will allow uninterrupted work on installing new rakes, repairing older ones, and training manpower for future metro operations.

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee added that the decision was “a well-thought-out move to give the monorail a new lease of life” and expressed gratitude for Mumbaikars’ cooperation.