The shutdown will affect both directions between Chembur and Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Saat Rasta), PTI reported.
Probe into recurring glitches
The MMRDA has also formed a committee to investigate recent technical issues that repeatedly disrupted services, including breakdowns on September 15 and on August 19, when hundreds of passengers were stranded across two trains.
Reason for suspension
Currently, monorail operations run from 6:15 am to 11:30 pm, leaving just a 3.5-hour night window for maintenance — insufficient for large-scale upgrades, as daily safety protocols require power lines to be discharged and recharged.
The temporary block, MMRDA said, will enable:
- Commissioning of new rolling stock
- Installation of advanced Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling
- Refurbishment of the existing fleet
"The planned suspension will allow faster integration of new rakes, CBTC signalling upgrades, and refurbishment, ensuring safer and more reliable operations," the release stated.
New rakes under 'Make in India'
The CBTC system, indigenously developed in Hyderabad, is being introduced on the monorail for the first time. Wayside signalling has been completed and integrated testing is underway.
Currently, the monorail operates with five rakes. Ten new ones are being procured under the Make in India initiative from M/s MEDHA in partnership with SMH Rail. Eight have already been delivered, the ninth is under inspection, and the tenth is in final assembly.
The suspension will also allow uninterrupted testing, complete overhauling of old rakes, and manpower training for future Metro operations.
Official statements
"With Mumbaikars' cooperation, we will bring back the monorail in a stronger form," said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde.
MMRDA Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee called the decision a "carefully thought-out step" to make the system "safer, more dependable, and future-ready".
Recent disruptions
On September 15, a monorail halted due to a technical snag between Antop Hill Bus Depot and GTBN station in Wadala, with 17 passengers rescued.
Earlier, on August 19, 582 passengers were stranded near Mysore Colony during heavy rains, while another 200 were stuck at Acharya Atre Nagar station. Rescue teams, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, took several hours to evacuate everyone safely.
Following these incidents, the MMRDA introduced immediate and long-term measures, including de-boarding passengers from overcrowded trains. Several trains were subsequently halted at stations to ease congestion.
India's only monorail
Mumbai houses India's sole monorail, which runs along a 19.74-km route from Chembur to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk. The first 8.26-km stretch began operations in February 2014, and the remaining 11.28 km opened in March 2019.
