Mumbai Monorail Begins Operations
The first line of Mumbai monorail between Chembur and Wadala is finally operational from February 2nd (Sunday), ending the 4 year wait since the construction began in 2009. This is the first monorail in India since the monorail operations halted in the 1920s in the country.
The Chembur-Wadala line
The 9.8 km stretch between Wadala and Chembur is a part of the entire 20 km stretch between Chembur and Jacob Circle. The monorail line connects to the suburban railway system at Chembur to Currey Road and Wadala. The monorail on this line is expected to carry more than two lakh commuters’ every day. This will help MMRDA to reduce about 10,000 auto rickshaw and taxi trips, and 5,000 BEST bus trips daily. It will take commuters just about 20 minutes to travel between these two end points using the monorail.
The line underwent several delays initially. Its original deadline to start operations was September 2013. However, it got delayed due to multiple roadblocks. The major roadblock was the uncertainty over traffic dispersal system. There was no consensus between the traffic police, MMRDA and the BMC over traffic dispersal and management.
Even before the railway line has become operational, it has already pushed up property prices in Chembur and Wadala by at least twice in the last 4-5 years. Catchment areas such as Kurla, Ghatkopar and Sewri have also witnessed increase in property prices. For example, prices in Chembur are currently at an average of Rs. 16,500 per sq.ft, whereas it was about Rs. 8,200 per sq.ft before January 2009 when the construction began. This is more than 100% increase in property values over the last 5 years. Similarly, in Wadala, the property prices are approximately Rs.19,600 per sq.ft, an appreciation of about 66% compared to the prices in 2008.
Final trials
The line between Chembur and Wadala underwent the necessary technical and commercial trials during the period November 2013 to early January 2014, as well as safety tests. MMRDA successfully received a clearance from the safety authority and a final nod from the Maharashtra government last week.
Initially, the monorail will run from 7 am to 3 pm, every 15 minutes. Later, the operational hours will be gradually increased, depending on the demand.
