The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed Mumbai’s monorail and metro operators to submit detailed emergency management plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for review, as part of efforts to bolster the city’s overall disaster preparedness framework. The directive was issued during a meeting of civic authorities responsible for disaster management, held at the BMC headquarters on Wednesday. The session was convened to assess Mumbai’s emergency response mechanisms following the monorail breakdown near Bhakti Park, Chembur, on 19 August, which left several passengers stranded for hours due to a technical malfunction. Dr Vipin Sharma, Chairperson of the Mumbai Suburban District Disaster Management Authority and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs), emphasised that the city’s monorail and metro systems must be integrated comprehensively into Mumbai’s emergency management strategy. He noted that these rapidly expanding networks require independent consideration given their critical role in public mobility. Dr Ashwini Joshi, Chairperson of the Mumbai City District Disaster Management Authority and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), instructed that mock drills be held regularly at all metro and monorail stations to assess and enhance emergency response capabilities. Meanwhile, Dr Amit Saini, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), said the session was aimed at reviewing coordination and readiness among key agencies in light of Mumbai’s expanding transport infrastructure. He stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration to ensure rapid and efficient response during emergencies. Professor Dr Ravi Sinha from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay commended the coordinated handling of the August 19 monorail incident, which involved the BMC’s disaster management department, Mumbai Fire Brigade, and other civic response teams. Officials concluded that strengthening communication channels, training exercises, and real-time coordination between agencies would be central to improving the city’s ability to respond swiftly to future incidents involving its transport systems.