Mumbai: Commuters were stranded in the monorail, when the services were disrupted for about 26 minutes due to a technical snag developed in one of the rakes on Wednesday morning.
Moreover, the monorail has only two rakes operational. It also impacted the services, as the time taken between the rounds has now gone up to 45 minutes. Earlier, between the two monorail trips, there was a gap of 22 minutes.
RA Rajeev, the Metropolitan commissioner, confirmed that now two rakes are being operational instead of five, and one has been kept on standby in case of an emergency.
In fact, after the MMRDA took over the operations of the 19.54-km route from Jacob Circle (Mahalaxmi Saath Rasta) to Chembur, this mode of transport has been drawing fewer people.
Rajeev said the monorail services cannot be improved until additional and new rakes are put in service. “A tender to procure new rakes has already been floated. Bids will close on July 30.
Thereafter, the tender will be awarded to the lowest bidder. The company will get a year to deliver the rakes. Two Chinese companies have shown the interest to supply new rakes,” said Rajeev.
