Mumbai Monorail commuters endured a gruelling two-hour ordeal on Tuesday evening after an overloaded train got stranded midway without air-conditioning, lights or ventilation. Passengers suffocated inside as the monorail tilted dangerously to one side. The MMRDA and monorail administration were left clueless about rescue operations, complained the passengers.

Rescue ops in progress

Helplines and officials failed to provide immediate help, forcing passengers to dial the BMC’s 1916 emergency number. The fire brigade eventually arrived with three snorkel vehicles and began rescue efforts. “They had shut the ticket counter at Currey Road, saying the monorail was overcrowded. But people created a ruckus and forced them to reopen it,” a commuter said.