Speak up Mumbai: With a history of technical glitches, will you opt for monorail?

Ten months after its rakes caught fire, the monorail will be operational between Chembur and Wadala from September 1. However, citizens will have to wait till February next year for services on the Wadala-Jacob Circle corridor to be opened for commuters.

However, ever since its operations were started in February 2014, the monorail operations have been in news over several technical glitches like halting mid-way, door opening abruptly followed by tyre fall being reported along with a fire incident being reported in November 2017. Post the fire incident, MMRDA decided to shut the services citing it will be restarted only when the second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle is ready. However, due to lack of trains, MMRDA is restarting monorail operations with four trains. Out of the total 10 trains, only four are said to be operational, and rest require repairs.

Meanwhile, with phase-1 operations restarting, DNA spoke to several citizens on about their opinion and whether they will opt for travelling via the monorail considering its history of technical glitches and breakdown.

VOICES

The purpose of travelling in monorail still remains unattended after year of suspension of its services. Even after a year, it's starting on same route which is of no commercial use. With my office in Lower Parel, monorail will be the fastest mode to commute once it's made operational till Jacob Circle. We were eagerly waiting for it to take the load off the suburban train system. However, MMRDA has failed to live up to expectations.
— Monish Makhija, Chembur

Commuting in Mumbai has always been a big issue. Considering the traffic jams on roads, any news related to starting of a transport service is a good news. Monorail would have helped cut down traffic. MMRDA should have restarted long back considering the huge amount that has been invested. I would certainly make the most of this service. Who doesn't want a comfortable and quick journey?
— Robin S, Kalbadevi

No, I am not looking forward to travel in monorail at all. After the kind of things we have heard and the mishaps that have taken place, I do not think I will be taking it ever. Mumbai monorail is scrambling to get on track, and MMRDA will have to gain back the confidence before I take it. It did not take off well and it went on from bad to worse. The route also was not good enough for people to consider it. Just for heck of using it and with past incidents, it is a bit scary.
— Rajkumar Sharma, Chembur

The incident where a fire broke out in an empty monorail train in 2017, leading to halting of the services yet to be forgotten. I would wait for a week or two to be assured about its safety before taking a ride. Since I stay in Lalbaug area, it won't be helpful unless the entire stretch of monorail is made operational. At present it would be nothing more than a joy ride for me and my daughter.
— Nirmala Korde, Lalbag

Going by the past experiences I would not like to take the Monorail, instead would take the road route which I feel is safe. Although, the government has been conducting various safety trails of the monorail for the past many months but has failed to create confidence amongst people that it is the safest mode of transportation. Howsoever, the government might claim the safety of passengers taking the monorail but immediate evacuation during an emergency situation is almost impossible in case of the Monorail.
— Huda Chali, Vashi

Honestly, monorail didn't serve the purpose well for Mumbaikars. It has been synonymous with delays, mishaps, and maintenance issues. It was running at loss. Most of the times it ran empty. The patch that it covered — Wadala-Chembur — is usually not so crowded. The project which was supposed to be a mass transit system, turned into a joyride for families. I feel that it should not be back on tracks, and the tax payers money should be used more wisely.
— Bharat Manghani, Thane

The monorail was expected to play a big role in decongesting road traffic. Faster mode of travel is the need of the hour. People lead a busy life, and everyone wants to cut down the time spent in traffic. I will certainly buy a monorail ticket than spend hours on road. Every good thing comes with few bad consequences, but if you are not willing to risk, you will have to settle for the ordinary.
— Yaseer Ansari, Mumbai Central

Though I hardly travelled in monorail, I am aware about the past issues the commuters faced. If it is resuming its services after solving the issues faced previously, as claimed by the authorities, then we should give it a try. Mumbai roads are plagued by traffic congestion, starting off monorail will definitely prove to be a boon. I will like to travel if I have to reach somewhere faster. It is a technology, so there is no guarantee that it won't face problems in future. However, the authority should take responsibility to solve the technical problems on time.
— Shripad Ozarkar, Thane

EXPERT SPEAK

Unless all recommendations made by relevant authorities for safety of passengers are implemented, it would not be correct to restart the services by jeopardising passengers' lives. Also, MMRDA should try to make Monorail's second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle operational as early as possible by making the necessary spare parts and trains available. Also, currently the MMRDA is not ready to pay Rs 18,000 per trip to the operator for running monorail. However, in my opinion, MMRDA should pay more, if required for safe operations.
— AV Shenoy, transport expert

There will definitely be reservations in minds of people considering the history of Monorail being. The MMRDA should bring in public domain that what safety measures they are taking to make Monorail travel safe and as to that they have improved upon. It is a matter of shame for MMRDA that even 10 years after starting Monorail construction, it is not fully operational. This time, MMRDA should stop taking things casually and must be held fully accountable.
— Rishi Aggarwal, transport activist