It took eight years and Rs 4,321 crore (about $720 million) to build the Mumbai Metro. But less than a month after starting operations, the newest mass transit system in India’s financial capital—built by a consortium led by billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure—has spectacularly failed in the face of Mumbai’s legendary monsoon rains.
It all started yesterday as some photographs, including the ones below, began circulating on Twitter.
Are they trying to Harvest Rain Water inside Mumbai Metro??? #EpicFail #ThisisMUMBAI http://t.co/8TmyMFwu4A—
Abhishek Telang (@abhishektelang) July 02, 2014
unverified but shocked. Mumbai metro today? they called rain dance! http://t.co/WYNuLqj0JB—
Sucheta Dalal (@suchetadalal) July 02, 2014
The in-coach waterfall, as it were, wasn’t quite as steady as the photos suggest. This YouTube video offers another view.
Although the photos were unverified, the Mumbai Metro quickly confirmed the incident.
The technical issue about leakage in metro was reported at 11.30 in morning.It has already been replaced and will be put to service tomorrow—
Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) July 02, 2014
The absurdity of the situation was further heightened when the operator then tried mounting a defence.
#MumbaiMetro trains are of world class quality designed by ALSTOM; It’s quality tested by Indian Railways. Our trains are not faulty. (1/2)—
Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) July 02, 2014
(2/2) Technical issue witnessed today is not uncommon. It already has been rectified and the train is ready to serve tomorrow morning.—
Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) July 02, 2014
No one is quite sure what the folks at Mumbai Metro were thinking, but new, pricey public transport systems aren’t supposed to spring leaks.
In countries like Singapore, which Indians typically holds as a model for urban services, 20-minute delays are enough to merit newspaper headlines.
Thankfully, though, better sense prevailed and Mumbai Metro finally issued a proper apology.
Dear Mumbaikars, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. This issue was reported at 11 30 a.m. (cont) tl.gd/n_1s2bb03—
Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) July 02, 2014
And the monsoons have only just arrived.
This article is a part of Quartz India. For more, follow this link.
Mumbai’s brand new $700-million metro is leaking water
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