1st trial run of Monorail phase 2 successful, will connect Wadala-Jacob Circle

On August 15, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) successfully carried out the trial run for the second phase of the monorail project. The rake covered the 3 km stretch between Wadala to Acharya Atre Nagar during the non-signalling trial run.

The second phase of the monorail project will connect Wadala to Jacob Circle. The 11 km stretch is one of the most pivotal phases of the entire project as it will substantially increase its ridership. It is expected to complete by December.

The rake started from Wadala at 8:31 am and reached Acharya Atre Nagar via GTB Nagar and Antop Hill stations at 8.44am. The return journey started at 8:47 am and terminated at 9 am. The rake covered both journeys at a speed of 15 kmph.

Following the trail run, MMRDA joint project director (public relations) Dilip Kawathkar confirmed that no problems were observed during the testing.

Currently the monorail runs between Chembur and Wadala, an 8.9 km stretch that witnesses low ridership due to the lack of big commercial or residential hubs. MMRDA believes that the extension of the service till Jacob Circle will increase ridership and make the project more financially viable.

With only 16,000 passengers using the Monorail daily, the transit system is making a loss of approximately Rs 8.5 lakh every single day.