MUMBAI: A Mumbai Monorail train carrying up to 500 passengers came to a halt on an elevated track between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park stations on Tuesday evening, leaving commuters stranded for over two hours due to a power supply failure exacerbated by heavy rainfall. Rescue operations, involving the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and police, were swiftly deployed, with nearly 442 passengers evacuated using hydraulic ladders, cranes, and by breaking train windows till late evening.

The incident, which occurred around 6:15 PM, was attributed to a "minor power supply issue" caused by overcrowding, according to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The train, designed to carry a maximum load of 104 metric tons, was overloaded at 109 metric tons, leading to a mechanical disconnection of the power supply and the activation of emergency brakes. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde noted that the closure of the Harbour Line due to waterlogged tracks diverted commuters to the monorail, causing the overload.

Passengers reported severe discomfort, with many experiencing suffocation due to the lack of air conditioning and ventilation inside the stalled train. "I was stuck for nearly two hours. There was no communication, and people were panicking," a rescued passenger told ANI. Some passengers attempted to break windows to alleviate the heat and lack of air, while others, including senior citizens and children, required medical attention for breathing difficulties. Six passengers were treated on-site and discharged, with others taken to nearby hospitals for first aid.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade deployed three snorkel vehicles and four fire tenders to assist in the rescue, which began around 7:15 PM. By 9:15 PM, approximately 300 of the estimated 400–500 passengers had been safely evacuated, with efforts ongoing to rescue the remainder. Four BEST buses were arranged to transport rescued commuters, and nearby hospitals were placed on alert.

The Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) issued a statement assuring that operations and maintenance teams were working to resolve the issue, with services between Wadala and Chembur continuing on a single line. "We sincerely thank you for your patience and assure you that your safety remains our top priority," the statement read.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the incident, emphasizing passenger safety and urging calm. "All passengers will be safely evacuated. I am in contact with MMRDA, BMC, and police officials," he posted on X. The heavy rainfall, with Mumbai recording over 200 mm in 24 hours, compounded the situation, causing widespread waterlogging and disruptions to local trains and flights.

This is not the first instance of monorail disruptions in Mumbai. Previous incidents, including a power failure in March 2025 and a fire in 2017, have raised concerns about the system's reliability, particularly during the monsoon season. The MMRDA emphasized that the monorail is a limited-capacity system not designed for sudden surges in passenger volume, urging commuters to follow safety instructions during emergencies.