Mumbai: 20 days after fire, Monorail services still remain suspended

Twenty days after two Monorail coaches caught fire on November 9, the services of Wadala-Chembur Monorail services still remains temporarily suspended as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been asked to ensure that no services are resumed before being sure about the safety of the trains. 

On Tuesday, the independent committee probing the cause behind the fire submitted its final  report citing the cause of the fire. Sanjay Khandare, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, "We have received the report and we will go though the report and take all necessary action to ensure smooth functioning of Monorail, accordingly." 

Khandare did not share as to what the final report had concluded. "We will go through it, and will be able to comment only after that." However, the interim report had held the Malaysian operator Scomi Engineering responsible for the fire. It had concluded that an unusual spark underneath the Monorail coach got in touch with the heated tyre resulting in two coaches of Monorail catching fire. 

The report has also said that, "No train should be allowed to run for passenger traffic unless the train is properly examined and made fit to run without any defects as per laid down procedure."

Khandare, said, "We will soon resume services of the Monorail and also trial runs for the second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle is ongoing."

The first phase of Monorail between Wadala and Chembur was made operational in 2014 and the second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle is expected to be made operational within few months. Daily around 15,000 commuters use the Monorail for travelling between Wadala and Chembur. 

On early morning of November 9, an empty Monorail on its way from Wadala Depot to Chembur, caught fire at Mysore Colony Monorail station.

However, no injuries were reported due to the accident. Meanwhile, ever since the first phase of the Monorail was made operational in 2014, it has been in the news for constant breakdowns in the rakes.