Scomi Mumbai Monorail Project To Commence Operations In January 

By M. Saraswathi

NEW DELHI : The first phase of the nine kilometre Mumbai Monorail project is scheduled to commence operations in January, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan announced today.

The announcement comes after Chavan’s visit to all major infrastructure projects in the state on Tuesday.

Scomi’s India unit, Urban Transit Pte Ltd, would also be in charge of the operations and management of the full completion of the 19.5 kilometre project for a duration of six years, said Kanesan Velupillai, Scomi Engineering Bhd Country President.

“We have a team of 60 personnel already trained in all aspects from operations control, depot, rolling stock maintenance and (we have) the monorail drivers to run the system,” he told Bernama.

Kanesan said the project was now undergoing testing before trial runs begins before the lead up to the commissioning.

As for Chavan’s visit, Kanesan said the chief minister was briefed on the Monorail project.

“The entourage came at 8.30 am and left at 9.45 am on Tuesday. The chief minister enquired, among others, about the operations. He was also informed that the trains were manufactured and tested in Kuala Lumpur,” said Kanesan who is also President of Scomi International Pvt Ltd.

Scomi Engineering and its consortium partner, Larsen & Toubro, secured the RM1.846 billion Mumbai monorail project in November 2008.

The projects spans 19.5 kilometres, of which the first phase of 9 kilometres will stretch between Chembur and Wadala while the second phase (10.5 kilometres)will connect Jacob Circle to Wadala.

- BERNAMA