November 07, 2025: A preliminary investigation into Wednesday’s Mumbai Monorail derailment has attributed the incident to a mix of human error and systemic lapses, officials familiar with the inquiry said on Thursday. The derailment occurred around 9.25 a.m. near the Wadala car depot during a trial run of a new rake, injuring three employees.
The new rake, less than a year old, had left the depot at 8.30 a.m. for a test run toward Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk (Jacob Circle). The derailment happened as the train was crossing a “switch” — a section of track that allows movement onto a parallel line. According to officials, the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system on the new trains is incompatible with the older signalling infrastructure still in use. During the trial, the CBTC was turned off as the train moved toward South Mumbai. At that time, someone at the control and command centre activated the track switch, causing the derailment.
Of the three injured, two were on board the train and one was on the road beneath the elevated track. “Only one person, the train pilot, was authorised to be inside the train. The second person on board came along despite not being authorised to,” said an official from the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL), which operates the Monorail. Action is likely against the unauthorised individual, the official added.
The probe also found that switching between CBTC and manual modes requires a short alignment period, which was not observed. A preliminary report is expected within days, likely recommending improved communication between pilots and control-room staff.
The damaged coach body was retrieved on Wednesday, while its bogies — entangled with the third-rail power equipment — were removed on Thursday. Officials said manufacturer Medha Servo Drives may face penalties and could be asked to replace the damaged components at no cost.
Source: Hindustan Times
