Shape up or ship out: Mumbai Monorail operator told

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Mumbai: “With or without the Malaysian company Scomi Engineering, currently the operator of the Mumbai monorail, Phase 2 (Wadala to Jacob Circle) will run in the new year for sure,” asserted RA Rajeev, Commissioner, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Phase 1 of the monorail from Chembur to Wadala was launched in February 2014 and four years on, the operation has been sputtering by fits and starts. “Disappointed with the continuous breakdowns and with no effort at improvement, the higher-ups have finally given an ultimatum to the operator – work or perish,’ said an MMRDA source, on request of confidentiality.

“A letter is likely to be sent by this week, warning them to take immediate steps to start Phase 2,” said the source. The development has come on the heels of CM Devendra Fadnavis giving a nod to MMRDA to set up its own operating agency. This autonomous body is expected to look after operations and maintenance of the upcoming metro corridors, including the monorail.  When Rajeev was asked about how the authority planned to recoup its expenditure from the operator so far, he replied, “We have the bank security deposits of the operator, which they will forfeit, enabling us to recover the costs.

Despite our ultimatum, if the appointed company fails to deliver and is unable to start Phase-2 operations by next year as communicated, then the company will be out. We cannot wait any longer for Phase 2 commencement.” A source from Scomi engineering in Mumbai said MMRDA is pressurising them, although it has come up with some convincing suggestions. “At present, there are 10 rakes of which four are functional and the remaining six are in the yard. Six rakes need repairs, for which we need a cash advance but MMRDA is not forthcoming. If the six rakes are brought back into service, it will be a smooth ride for Phase 2. But it appears as if the authority is keen on taking over operations,” said the source.

MMRDA is hoping to increase monorail ridership with commencement of Phase 2 and turn profitable. The new mono line passes through densely populated localities of the city and will bring connectivity. Currently, only Phase 1 is operational; however, it is incurring a loss of nearly Rs 3 lakh per day, for want of ridership.