MMRDA to purchase 10 more rakes for Mumbai monorail project

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to purchase 10 more rakes for its monorail project, which is expected to increase train frequency and ridership in Mumbai's public transportation system, which is currently at its lowest level.

The first rake is expected to arrive in less than a year. The rakes will all be manufactured in India.

According to an official, the MMRDA has awarded the tender to Medha Servo Drives Private Limited for the procurement of new 10 monorail rakes, as decided in a meeting last month. The estimated cost of the tender is Rs 590 crore.

MMRDA chief SVR Srinivas told the media that the agency is working to resurrect the monorail, improve its route's connectivity with metro rail, and make it more efficient.

The monorail, which runs between Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk and Wadala-Chembur, is 19.54 km long and began full service in March 2019.

Despite the fact that trains were supposed to run every 4-5 minutes, the official frequency was 18 minutes, and the wait time could be as long as 30 minutes due to operational issues.

Only seven trains are currently running on the 20 km stretch, according to official records.

The first tender for the project was floated in March 2019, during which it was observed that Chinese companies were demanding several changes in terms and conditions, while the Central government had instructed to promote Make in India and the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan due to the Covid-induced lockdown.

In August 2020, the old tenders were cancelled and new ones were issued to encourage Indian companies to participate.

The three Indian companies BHEL, Titagarh, and Medha had expressed interest in the bids, with Medha being selected as the lowest bidder by the MMRDA.

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