A Mumbai Monorail rake partially derailed and tilted during a test run near the Wadala depot on Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, triggering renewed questions about the safety and maintenance of India’s only operational monorail system. The incident occurred around 9 a.m., and fortunately, no passengers or staff were injured, as the train was running without commuters.
According to officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the monorail was undergoing a routine technical inspection when one of the coaches tilted off the track near the turning section close to the depot. The affected rake was part of the regular maintenance schedule, and early investigations suggest that a mechanical alignment issue or track fault may have caused the derailment.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the monorail lean to one side before coming to a halt. Maintenance personnel immediately rushed to the site, and MMRDA engineers began an on-ground inspection to assess the extent of the damage. “The rake tilted slightly, but there was no major damage or fire. The situation was brought under control promptly,” said an MMRDA spokesperson.
The incident has prompted an internal inquiry by MMRDA, and the technical team is reviewing the track alignment, signalling systems, and mechanical components of the affected section. Operations on other parts of the monorail route, connecting Chembur to Jacob Circle, were temporarily suspended for safety checks. Services resumed later in the afternoon after engineers confirmed that no other rakes were affected.
This mishap marks another setback for the Mumbai Monorail, which has faced frequent operational and technical challenges since its launch in 2014. Earlier, the system had been temporarily shut down due to a fire incident in 2017, followed by multiple disruptions related to spare parts shortages and maintenance issues. Despite attempts to revive ridership through improved schedules and upgraded rakes, the monorail has struggled to maintain consistent service reliability.
Urban transport experts have called for stricter safety protocols and regular third-party audits to prevent future incidents. “Given the monorail’s track record, MMRDA must invest in preventive maintenance and advanced monitoring systems rather than reactive measures after such mishaps,” said a senior transport analyst from IIT Bombay.
The MMRDA has assured the public that a comprehensive safety review is underway and that test runs will remain suspended until the cause of the derailment is clearly identified. Officials have also stated that a detailed report will be submitted to the state transport department within the next few days.
While no injuries or major damages were reported, Wednesday’s derailment has once again highlighted the operational vulnerabilities of Mumbai’s monorail system and reignited discussions on whether the city’s resources should be redirected towards expanding more reliable modes of transport such as the Mumbai Metro network.
