Mumbai Monorail phase II opens between Wadala-Jacob Circle

Mumbai (Urban Transport News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) today opens the complete 20km long Monorail corridor after a delay of several years. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis along with railway minister Piyush Goyal undertook the maiden inaugural journey from Jacob Circle to Wadala depot days before the code of conduct comes into effect for the Lok Sabha elections. Before the opening of this corridor, Mumbai Monorail has been operational only on the 8.8km route between Chembur and Wadala depot since February 2014.

The Safety Commissioner gave safety clearance for phase II project of Mumbai Monorail in April 2018 but due to lack of additional monorail rakes, the services could not be started. The regular services for the public will be commenced from tomorrow i.e. Monday. Another reason for non-opening of this section was termination of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract with the earlier operator Scomi Engineering who had failed to roll out an adequate number of rakes.

MMRDA had given 7 extensions to the Scomi Engineering before which the system first opened on a truncated route of 8.8, termed as Phase I between Chembur and Wadala depot on February 2, 2014. MMRDA had terminated the contractor LTSE (A JV of L&T and Scomi Engineering) on 14 December 2018 for their failure to perform and fulfill contractual obligations.

"There has been an announcement of dates and multiple assurances but finally the corridor is open for services", CM Fadnavis said at the opening ceremony. "The phase I was opened in 2014 but it was known for a joyride. The opening of the entire corridor will help attract almost 30 lakh commuters per month compared to 4.5 lakh in Phase I", he added. "Now the Mumbaikars will be able to ride the entire 19.54 km long Chembur to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk Monorail corridor, which is devoid of any mass public rapid system. The monorail will operate daily from 6.00am to 10.00pm with 22 minutes frequency and will also reduce the travel time from 90 to a mere 30 minutes", said in the statement issued by the MMRDA.