A monorail train broke down in Mumbai this evening amid heavy rain, stranding hundreds of passengers for more than two hours. The monorail rake, which runs on an elevated track, got stuck due to a minor power supply issue, said the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). “Our operations and maintenance teams are already on-site and working to resolve it quickly,” it said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that a section of the train got tilted due to overcrowding. “Due to the closure of the Harbour line, many passengers were diverted towards the monorail. Due to the overcrowding, it tilted and there was also a power failure,” he told NDTV.
Several visuals showed scared passengers trying to break open the windows of the train before the fire brigade officials began the rescue operation.
The train came to a halt around 6:15 pm between Chembur and Bhakti Park with 400 stuck inside. Two hundred passengers have been rescued. The rescued passengers said panic prevailed inside the train, with several people complaining of suffocation as the AC system shut down.
“I was stuck in the Monorail for almost one hour and 45 minutes. People were scared as there was no communication from the authorities. Some were struggling to breathe and tried to break the window. A couple of passengers fainted,” said one passenger after he was rescued.
A woman passenger said there was no air conditioning and electricity inside.
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Urging people not to worry, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that all “passengers will be safely evacuated”. He said that an inquiry will also be conducted into the incident.
“I request everyone to remain patient. I am in contact with the MMRDA Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, the police, and all relevant agencies. An inquiry will also be conducted into why this incident occurred,” he posted on X.
His deputy, Mr Shinde, said the government’s priority right now is to rescue all passengers.
“Our priority right now is to rescue all passengers. There are nearly 200 passengers stuck inside. Our medical team is also on the spot. I urge the passengers not to panic,” said Mr Shinde.
Civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the fire brigade rushed to the spot as soon as they got a call for assistance.
“In the emergency situation, passengers immediately contacted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s helpline number 1916 for assistance,” said the BMC.
“Responding promptly, the Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot and began rescue operations with the help of three snorkel vehicles,” it added.
Mumbai is the only city to operate a Monorail System that runs at an average speed of 65 km per hour. One coach has a capacity of 18 sitting passengers and 124 standing passengers.
This comes as the city has been hit by rain for the last two days, disrupting normal life.
The heavy downpour flooded streets, stranded commuters and vehicles struggling to navigate the inundated roads. The situation highlighted the financial capital’s annual challenge in dealing with the monsoon rains.
“Mumbai has witnessed a record rainfall of nearly 300 mm. The city’s lifeline — suburban trains — has slowed down. The Mithi river (which runs through Mumbai) reached the danger-level mark and 400 to 500 persons had to be evacuated,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said after the weekly cabinet meeting.
On Monday, the metropolis received 170 mm of rainfall in just 8 hours.
