The second line of Mumbai monorail from Wadala to Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Mahalaxmi) was opened to commuters on Sunday after years of delay. The first line from Chembur to Wadala is operational since February 1, 2014. The whole project is being implemented by the Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
The project had started in 2008 but has been mired in numerous management and operational delays. After the 2008 Mumbai attack, the project was stalled for a year for security reasons as Pakistani terrorist, Ajmal Kasab was imprisoned in Arthur Road jail, which is the vicinity of Monorail line. In effect, it has taken 11 years for the MMRDA to complete the 19.54 km line, a senior MMRDA official said.
The project started with good intentions but with poor planning. Also the route was mapped from areas such as Sindhi camp, which has an extremely dense population and lots of illegal structures, the official added.
On Sunday evening, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 11.28 km Monorail’s second line from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk.
The first line of 8.26-km from Chembur to Wadala is already operational and now with this new line operational, the commuters will be able to ride the entire 19.54-km long line. Currently the whole corridor from Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Mahalaxmi) to Chembur is devoid of any mass public rapid transit system.
The Monorail will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm with a 22-minute gap between the two trains and will also reduce the travel time from 90 to 30 minutes, a statement issued by MMRDA said.
The construction, operation and maintenance of the line was awarded to LTSE – a joint venture by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. and SCOMI Engineering BHD of Malaysia. But on December 14, 2018, contract with LTSE was terminated for their failure to perform and fulfil contractual obligations. LTSE had failed to supply the Rolling Stock Trains (RST), Operate and Maintain the system on the entire corridor and rectify defects as per the contractual clauses.