Tyre burst halts monorail for 6 hours

Monorail services were hit for a third time in one month. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav )

With monorail services coming to a halt for over six hours on Monday, the question has once again been raised whether travelling via monorail is safe or not. On Monday, for the third time in one month, the services came to a halt due to a tyre burst. According to sources, the rolling stock was on its way towards Wadala depot for maintenance when the tyre burst was reported around 6.30 am near Mahul Creek, just before the Bhakti Park station.

The Asian Age had reported on Monday’s edition itself that the rolling stocks are being poorly maintained and, out of the total of 10 rolling stocks, only two are fit for plying.

It is interesting to note that after the tyre burst, only one rolling stock was being used for the up and down services between Bharat Petroleum and Chembur stations. In light of this incident, Mumbai Monorail services were down for six hours between Wadala Depot and Bharat Petroleum stations.

The MMRDA said in a statement that the monorail developed a technical snag and was duly brought to the depot at Wadala for repairs. When contacted, U.P.S. Madan, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, was unavailable for comment. Sources, however, said that the rolling stock had already developed tyre problems and was being taken to the depot for the same reason, when the tyre burst took place midway. It had to be towed away with the help of another rolling stock, which, too, was not fully fit to ply. It took around five hours to tow the rolling stock, as it had to be fixed temporarily at the spot before being towed.

Ever since phase I of the Mumbai Monorail was commissioned, its operations have regularly been in the news for constant breakdowns.

Meanwhile, The Asian Age asked Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson, MMRDA, whether the contractor, Scomi Engineering, would be fined for frequent disruptions in the functioning of the monorail. He said, “I do not have information on whether a fine will be levied or not.” He also said that the technical snag on Monday was due to power tripping, but sources said that it was actually due to a tyre burst instead.