Mumbai monorail testing to begin in August

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will start the test runs of country’s first monorail by August this year.

Confirming the development, the authority’s metropolitan commissioner Rahul Asthana said that the stretch will be from Wadala to Mysore Colony where the tests will be first conducted. 

The commissioner had a meeting with the consortium partners Scomi and L&T— who are constructing the first phase of the monorail from Chembur to Jacob Circle via Wadala.

As per the plan, the companies, after the construction is completed will be running the monorail on the 20km route for a period of three years.

“On Wednesday, we discussed various issues about the financing of the project. However, I have been told that this particular stretch between Wadala and Mysore Colony — that is 4.5km — will see test runs for the monorail by August. However, I am not sure about the exact date of the start of the project,” Asthana informed.  

The issue of running the monorail needed to be discussed since the period for which the consortium will run it is just the first three years.

“After these three years are completed, we will call for tenders and decide on which company will run it. However, this transition of one company handing over the operations to other will be a little complicated. We wanted clarity about the same since it may bring the services to a halt for a few days,” informed Asthana.  

Work for the first phase of the monorail between Wadala to Chembur is in full swing, said the commissioner.

“All pilling, foundation work in this phase has been completed. There are no longer any issues of rehabilitation or alignment. Hence we can see testing on this alignment soon,” concluded Asthana.