Mumbai mono rail undergoes test runs

Chief-Minister-of-Maharashtra-Ashok-ChavanOn Tuesday, the monorail planned for the city of Mumbai underwent trial run on its upcoming network. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) chose the 61st Republic day for the train run in the city.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, flagged off the rail from Wadala station of the network. The test run was for 108-metre on the Republic Day.

The proposed route between Jacob Circle and Chembur is 19.4-kilometers long and is expected to be completed by 2011. The project is to cost around Rs 2, 460 crore. The project is being implemented by L&T and SCOMI Engineering Bhd.

Monorail network will help ease Mumbai's traffic movement and supplement its existing public transport along with under construction metro rail network. Mumbai is the most populous city in India with an estimated population of 14 million people.

The plan is to launch 14 Monorails with four coaches initially which will have a capacity of 500 passengers. Monorail completes its journey in few minutes. The monorail will have a frequency of 4.5 minutes with a fare of approximately Rs 8 to 20.

The Chief Minister said, "It is engineering marvel, only of its kind in India for the use of common man. It is going to help the people of Mumbai to commute."