Mumbai Metro Line 2A hit by technical fault; single-track operations between Dahanukarwadi and Dahisar East

Mumbai Metro Line 2A experienced significant service disruptions on Saturday due to a technical malfunction that forced the rail operator to switch to single-track operations on a critical section of the line. The fault affected train movement between Dahanukarwadi and Dahisar East, two busy stations on the northern corridor, resulting in extended delays and longer waiting times for commuters during the day.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) confirmed that while services continued to run across the entire Metro Line 2A route, trains were forced to operate on just one track instead of the normal two-line system between the affected stations. This bottleneck significantly reduced the frequency of trains passing through the corridor, impacting thousands of daily commuters who depend on the metro for their weekend travel. The corporation stated that operations remained completely normal on the stretch between Andheri West and Dahanukarwadi, ensuring that a majority of the line functioned without interruption.

The technical snag emerged during regular Saturday operations, prompting Metro officials to immediately mobilise their technical teams to diagnose and resolve the issue. Engineers worked throughout the day to identify the root cause of the malfunction and assess the damage to determine how quickly service could be fully restored. The exact nature of the technical issue was not immediately disclosed, though such disruptions typically involve track faults, signalling systems, or power supply problems that require careful inspection before trains can safely resume full-speed operations.

The single-track constraint created a cascading effect on commuter journeys, particularly for residents and workers travelling to and from the northern suburbs including Dahisar, Borivali, and Kandarpada areas. With reduced train frequency, commuters faced crowded platforms and extended waiting periods, frustrating weekend travellers who had planned their journeys around expected Metro timings.

Metro authorities assured the public that technical teams were prioritising the restoration of full two-line service at the earliest. No specific timeline was provided for when normal operations would resume, though officials indicated that the issue was being treated as urgent given the high footfall on weekend services. Commuters were advised to plan additional travel time for journeys through the affected section and consider alternative transport modes if their schedules permitted.

This incident underscores the ongoing operational challenges faced by Mumbai's Metro expansion as the network scales up to serve the city's growing commuter base.

Source: Times of India