July 8, 2025: A service disruption on Mumbai Metro’s Blue Line (Line 1) on Monday morning triggered scenes of chaos at several stations—most notably Ghatkopar—rekindling long-standing demands to upgrade the trains from four to six coaches. The glitch reportedly occurred after a train failed to achieve its designated speed and was withdrawn from service, resulting in severe delays and overcrowding during peak hours. Although operations were subsequently restored, the incident intensified public scrutiny of the metro’s infrastructure and capacity planning.
Experts note that Line 1 was originally designed to accommodate six-coach trains, with existing platforms and systems requiring only minimal modifications. Expanding from four to six coaches would increase passenger capacity from 1,178 to 1,792 per train—providing considerable relief during rush hour.
Frustrated commuters took to social media to share their experiences. One regular rider remarked, “After seven decades, Mumbai finally has a Metro—but not the foresight to build platforms and gates that can manage the crowd.” Another commuter described the situation as a “near-stampede,” while a female passenger shared that she was unable to alight due to the aggressive rush of boarding passengers.
Several commuter groups, including the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association (LOCA), have demanded urgent intervention. “We need six-coach trains and at least triple the number of rakes. Authorities must act before this becomes a tragedy,” stated a LOCA spokesperson.
Mumbai Metro Line 1 is operated by Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), a joint venture between Reliance Infrastructure and MMRDA. Officials confirmed that conversion plans are in motion but have been delayed due to legal disputes between MMOPL and MMRDA.
In 2023, an arbitral tribunal awarded MMOPL Rs 992 crore over cost escalations—a figure now risen to Rs 1,169 crore with interest. The MMRDA’s appeal was unsuccessful, and several other regulatory disputes remain unresolved.
Source: Urban Acres
