More than a decade after its inception, Mumbai’s monorail still hadn’t shed its image as an underwhelming experiment. Plagued by delays, technical issues, and low usage, it was often dismissed as more of a ‘joyride’ than a serious mode of transportation.

Launched in 2014, the monorail project was intended to connect Chembur to Wadala, and eventually extend to Jacob Circle, spanning 20 kilometers through eastern Mumbai. The first phase, covering a modest 8 kilometers from Chembur to Wadala, started operating in February 2014, after being delayed for six years. It wasn’t until 2019 that the full route to Jacob Circle was completed.

The monorail was originally expected to alleviate congestion and provide a dependable alternative to road and rail transport, but in practice, it has fallen short. With only a limited number of rakes, irregular service, and stations that are not well-connected, it has struggled to maintain a steady flow of commuters.