DNA reported in January 2018 about how on-board communication system of Monorail are defunct since April 2017 for its ongoing operations of Phase-1 between Chembur and Wadala.
After failing to meet several deadlines, the second phase of Monorail service between Wadala and south Mumbai is expected to start on Monday. With just two days to go for it's inauguration, the on-board communication system and passenger announcement (PA) system still remains non functional.
Not just this, only four out of the total nine trains are functional, despite the passenger turn-out of Monorail is expected to increase by another 300 per cent. Current, ridership is around 17,000 that is expected to rise by around 300 per cent.
As per the documents accessed by DNA, a monthly report prepared for Monorail operations in September 2018 lists 'the on-board communication system in all trains not being functional' as a critical issue. DNA reported in January 2018 about how on-board communication system of Monorail are defunct since April 2017 for its ongoing operations of Phase-1 between Chembur and Wadala.
"The on-board communication system is non-functional because the vendor had issues. Currently, pilots are using walkie-talkies and mikes. In the coming months, all the system will be in place," said MMRDA official. On Sunday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is going to show green signal to Monorail's Phase-2 operations between Wadala and Jacob Circle.
Ever since Phase-1's operations started in 2014, it's been news for breakdowns. Also, the operations of Monorail were shut between November 2017 and August 2018 due to fire inside an empty coach. The MMRDA also in December 2018 terminated the contract of Larsen & Toubro and Malaysian Scomi Engineering who were operating Monorail on grounds of non-performance.
The MMRDA, post fire incident in 2017, were to design a fire evacuation plan. The MMRDA official added, "One Singapore based company had shown interest for preparing a plan on fire evacuation but it has quoted something that is not feasible to us. Currently, we have CCTV cameras, smoke detectors near the tyres of Monorail and several other measures have been taken into consideration for safe commercial operations."
On Sunday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is going to show green signal to Monorail's Phase-2 operations between Wadala and Jacob Circle in Mahalaxmi post. Its commercial operations are expected to start from Monday. The operational frequency will be 20 minutes with four trains of four coaches each.
Vishnu Kumar, former director of Monorail said, "Starting with four trains for the whole corridor is not commendable, and I doubt about the 20 minutes frequency. Also non-functional on-board communication system and passenger announcement system inside coach is a calculated operational risks."
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