Metro, monorail operators to submit emergency mgmt plans to BMC

The meeting was convened to assess the city’s response mechanisms following the August 19 monorail disruption near Bhakti Park, Chembur, which left several passengers stranded due to a technical fault

Published on: Oct 30, 2025, 06:34:02 IST

By Linah Baliga

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s monorail and metro operators have been told to submit emergency management plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for review, to the civic administration, to strengthen the city’s emergency preparedness framework.

Mumbai, India. August 19, 2025: The monorail was stranded between Bhakti Park and Mysore Colony Station due to heavy rain. The Mumbai fire brigade rescued 200 passengers safely. Mumbai, India. August 19, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Raju Shinde)

The directive was issued during a meeting of civic authorities in charge of disaster management, at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Wednesday. The meeting was convened to assess the city’s response mechanisms following the August 19 monorail disruption near Bhakti Park, Chembur, which left several passengers stranded due to a technical fault.

Dr Vipin Sharma, chairperson of the Mumbai Suburban District Disaster Management Authority, and additional municipal commissioner (western suburbs), said the monorail and metro networks must be given “comprehensive and independent consideration” in the city’s overall emergency management strategy.

Dr Ashwini Joshi, chairperson of the Mumbai City District Disaster Management Authority, and additional municipal commissioner (city), directed that mock drills be conducted periodically at metro and monorail facilities to test and enhance response capabilities.

Additional municipal commissioner (eastern suburbs) Dr Amit Saini said the session was convened to review the coordination and readiness of agencies in light of Mumbai’s rapidly expanding transport infrastructure. He stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration to ensure a swift and efficient response during emergencies.

Professor Dr Ravi Sinha of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay praised the handling of the August 19 monorail incident, which involved the BMC’s disaster management department, Mumbai Fire Brigade, and other civic teams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Raghunath Baliga
Leena Raghunath Baliga (byline: Linah Baliga) is Associate Editor with nearly two decades of experience in journalism,and has earlier worked with TOI, DNA and Mumbai Mirror specialising in civic affairs, urban governance and political reporting. Based in Mumbai, she has looked into the functioning of civic administration, public policy and governance, with a particular focus on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), urban infrastructure, housing, redevelopment and city planning. Over the years, she has consistently reported on issues that directly impact citizens, including municipal administration, public health, BEST, environmental concerns, major infrastructure projects and state government policies affecting urban development. Her reporting combines on-ground reporting, making complex civic and governance issues accessible to readers while ensuring accountability in civic administration. She has extensively covered political developments that shape urban policy. Her work has also focused on redevelopment policies, affordable housing and the implementation of major infrastructure projects across Mumbai.She continues to chronicle the evolving and changing landscape of Asia's richest municipal corporation. When she isn't chasing stories or poring over civic documents, she enjoys dabbling in art and unwinding with music. An avid rock 'n' roll enthusiast, she has an anachronistic taste in music, with a playlist that happily skips across decades, filled with timeless classics.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.