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Intelligence Bureau studying Monorail corridor for vulnerability

The audit is crucial considering the first phase of Monorail between Chembur and Wadala is shut since November 2017 after an empty coach caught fire at Mysore Colony Station

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The Chembur-Jacob Circle corridor will run on an 18-km stretch
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In the light of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) planning to commence the operations for 18-km-long Chembur-Jacob Circle Monorail corridor, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is carrying out a security audit for the mass transit system, DNA has learnt.

The audit is crucial considering the first phase of Monorail between Chembur and Wadala is shut since November 2017 after an empty coach caught fire at Mysore Colony Station.

According an official involved in the operations of Mumbai Monorail, "The IB is currently carrying out the security audit of the Monorail alignment and stations. Once the security audit by IB is completed it will prepare a report further giving us recommendations on the security or any vulnerable spots, if any are found."

The source added, "Security of Monorail becomes very crucial because at many locations it passes where the alignment is not accessible by road and it also passes nearby oil refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited."

UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, "We plan to start both the phases which is between Chembur and Jacob Circle together. We have written to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for conducting the trial runs for second phase and we expect the same to end by this month for starting operations."

Authorities will plan to consider the recommendations given by the fire brigade and an independent committee that probed the coach fire.

Currently, the MMRDA spends around Rs 50 lakh on security of Monorail stations and its depot that is guarded by around 200 guards of the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF). However, the manpower for security and expenses is expected to go up after the whole corridor is made operational.

The first phase of Monorail between Chembur and Wadala was made operational in 2014, however, was suspended in November 2017 following fire incident. While the second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle in Mahalaxmi is expected to be made operational soon.

The MMRDA expects the ridership of Monorail to be 1 lakh daily for both the phases after its operations from the current 15,000 daily for the first phase.

Meanwhile, ever since the operations of Monorail between Chembur and Wadala started it has been in knee-deep controversies over technical glitches and commuter safety. DNA had reported on January 13, 2017 as to how on board communication system in all Monorail trains was not functional for almost seven months before its services were suspended in November 2017.

SECURITY COVER

Currently, MMRDA spends around Rs 50 lakh on security of Monorail stations and its depot that is guarded by around 200 guards of the Maharashtra Security Force. The numbers are expected to go up soon

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