Mumbai monorail second line operational.

The second line of Mumbai monorail from Wadala to Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Mahalaxmi) was opened for commuters on Sunday. The first line from Chembur to Wadala was opened on February 1, 2014.

The project, launched in 2008, was implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). It was mired in management and operational delays from the beginning.

Inordinate delay

After the November 2008 Mumbai attack, the project was stalled for a year as Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was incarcerated in Arthur Road jail, which is in the vicinity of monorail line. The construction was stalled over security concerns. It has taken 11 years for the MMRDA to complete the 19.54-km line, a senior MMRDA official said.

On Sunday evening, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 11.28-km second line. The first line of 8.26-km from Chembur to Wadala is already operational and, with the new line becoming operational, commuters will now be able to ride the entire 19.54-km-long line. The whole corridor from Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Mahalaxmi) to Chembur was devoid of any mass public rapid transit system.

Timing and frequency

The monorail will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm with a 22-minute gap between trains and will reduce the travel time from 90 to 30 minutes, a statement issued by MMRDA said.

The construction, operation and maintenance of the line was initially awarded to LTSE, a joint venture of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. and SCOMI Engineering BHD of Malaysia. On December 14, the contract was terminated over LTSE’s failure to fulfil contractual obligations. LTSE had failed to supply the rolling stock trains (RST) and to operate and maintain the system on the entire corridor and rectify defects.

HBL