Mumbai, August 20, 2025:

Nearly 800 passengers were evacuated safely after two Mumbai Monorail trains got stranded amid heavy rainfall on Monday evening, highlighting the challenges of operating limited-capacity transit systems during peak crowding and adverse weather.

The first incident occurred at 6:38 pm when a monorail train carrying 582 passengers stalled between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park in Chembur due to a power supply disruption caused by overcrowding. Authorities said the train exceeded its original design capacity of 104 tons, reaching approximately 109 tons, which resulted in a mechanical disconnection between the power rail and the current collector.

Almost an hour later, a second train with 200 passengers came to a halt between Acharya Atre and Wadala Monorail stations. Passengers were evacuated after the train was towed to the nearest station. Both operations involved fire brigade teams rescuing passengers in batches over a three-hour period.

Mumbai is the only city in India operating a monorail system, which runs at an average speed of 65 km per hour. Each coach accommodates 18 seated and 124 standing passengers. The system, officials noted, is not designed to handle sudden surges of crowds like the suburban train or metro networks.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde explained that the overcrowding was aggravated by the closure of the Harbour Line, forcing passengers to divert toward the monorail. The excess weight caused a section of the train to tilt, while power failures led to temporary panic inside. Several passengers reported suffocation as the air-conditioning systems shut down. Twenty-three passengers were treated on-site, and two were sent to Sion Hospital for further care.

Authorities emphasized that the rescue operation was swift and coordinated. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that the fire brigade responded promptly using three snorkel vehicles. Passengers contacted the BMC helpline 1916 for immediate assistance, and officials prioritized safe evacuation throughout the operation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged passengers not to panic, assuring that all were safely rescued. “Our priority is the safety of every commuter. Teams from the MMRDA, municipal authorities, and police are in constant coordination,” he said, adding that an inquiry into the incident will be conducted to determine the root causes and prevent future occurrences.

This is not the first time the Mumbai Monorail has experienced technical disruptions. In August 2024, a train stalled mid-journey, and several months ago, another train with schoolchildren halted due to mechanical problems.

The incident comes amid heavy monsoon rains that have disrupted normal life across Mumbai. Over the past two days, the city has experienced record rainfall, flooding streets and slowing suburban train services. The Mithi River reached a danger-level mark, prompting the evacuation of 400 to 500 residents. On Monday alone, the city recorded 170 mm of rainfall in just eight hours, further compounding commuter challenges.

Authorities reiterated that while the monorail provides an important transit option, it is a limited-capacity system designed for specific routes and cannot safely accommodate unusually high passenger numbers. The event has renewed calls for better crowd management and infrastructure upgrades to ensure commuter safety during peak monsoon conditions.