Mumbai Metro, Monorail operators told to submit disaster management plans

Mumbai: Authorities operating Metro and Monorail services in Mumbai have been directed to submit their disaster management and emergency response plans, the district disaster management bodies of Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts said on Wednesday.

According to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) statement, the directive was issued by Dr. Vipin Sharma, additional municipal commissioner and chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, during a joint review meeting.

Dr. Sharma instructed all agencies managing elevated and underground Metro and Monorail networks to share their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and detailed emergency response strategies.

The meeting was held in the wake of a Monorail breakdown near Bhakti Park in Chembur on August 19, which left several passengers stranded for hours due to a technical fault.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ashwini Joshi, additional municipal commissioner (City) and chairperson of the Mumbai City District Disaster Management Authority, emphasised the importance of regular mock drills to evaluate the preparedness and coordination of response teams during emergencies in public transport systems.

(with agency inputs)