Sion ROB Closure Turns Spotlight on Monorail as New Rake Set to Enhance Connectivity

The recent closure of the Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB) has caused significant disruptions in Mumbai, particularly affecting the critical east-west connectivity in central Mumbai. As traffic bottlenecks and jams become the norm, attention is now shifting towards the monorail, which could potentially fill the void left by the ROB's closure. Previously considered a failure due to low ridership, the monorail's future looks promising with the introduction of a new rake and upgraded signaling system.>

Monorail's Potential to Address Connectivity Issues

With the Sion ROB out of operation, the monorail's east-west alignment could provide much-needed relief to commuters. The state government has taken a proactive step by appointing a retired chief commissioner of railway safety to oversee the inspection and certification of the monorail’s upgraded signaling system and the new prototype rake. This development is seen as a critical move towards improving the monorail’s reliability and efficiency.

Dynamic Trials and Safety Inspections

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has already commenced dynamic trials for the new monorail rake. These trials are essential for testing the rake's performance under various conditions and ensuring it meets all safety and efficiency standards before being introduced into public service. The trials aim to identify and resolve any potential issues, ensuring the monorail is fully prepared for daily operations.

Sources have confirmed that the retired rail safety commissioner, PS Baghel, is expected to arrive in Mumbai next week to conduct the necessary inspections. Upon receiving approval from safety authorities, the new rake will be deployed, and production of nine additional rakes will begin, with their introduction scheduled over the next year.

Enhancing Frequency and Ridership

One of the primary reasons for the monorail's low ridership has been its infrequent service, with trains currently running at 15-minute intervals. The existing schedule offers only 142 services on weekdays, dropping to 64 on Sundays and holidays. However, with the addition of ten new rakes, the frequency of services is expected to increase significantly.

MMRDA officials have stated that the new rakes could potentially boost the frequency to over 250 trips per day, depending on the train operation plan (TOP) at the time. This increase could reduce the interval between trains to just five minutes, which is anticipated to attract more commuters and significantly enhance ridership.

Conclusion

The Sion ROB closure has highlighted the need for alternative east-west connectivity solutions in central Mumbai. With the introduction of new rakes and an upgraded signaling system, the monorail could finally realize its potential and become a vital part of the city’s transportation network. If successful, these changes could transform the monorail from a struggling project into a key player in Mumbai’s public transport system.