Mumbai Monorail Breakdown Strands 580 Passengers
A Mumbai Monorail carrying more than 580 passengers came to a halt on August 19 during heavy rains. The incident occurred around 6:38 pm between Chembur (Mysore Colony) and Bhakti Park stations after a technical snag disrupted power supply. The stoppage left the elevated train stranded for nearly three hours, causing panic among passengers.
Overcrowding Blamed for Tilt and Shutdown
Authorities stated that overcrowding worsened the situation. With Harbour Line suburban services suspended due to monsoon disruptions, commuters rushed to use the monorail, pushing the train beyond its designed capacity. The extra weight caused the train to tilt slightly on a curved section of track, leading to an automatic emergency shutdown.
Rescue Teams Deploy Hydraulic Snorkels
Rescue operations were immediately launched by the Mumbai Fire Brigade, BMC officials, and police. Emergency personnel used hydraulic snorkels and ladders to bring passengers down safely from the elevated track. Some windows of the train had to be broken to ensure evacuation. Medical teams were on site to assist passengers, a few of whom reported breathlessness and mild injuries. The final passenger was brought down around 9:30 pm.
Government Response and Safety Concerns
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that while no casualties were reported, the train had been “crowded beyond safe capacity.” He assured that a review of safety measures and an inquiry into the maintenance and operations of the monorail would follow. The incident has renewed concerns over the reliability of Mumbai’s monorail system during monsoon disruptions.
