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Mumbai Metro 3 Faces Mobile Blackout After MMRCL Terminates ACES India Contract

The shutdown follows a months-long standoff over a mandated neutral-host network that telecom operators called too costly.

Overview

  • MMRCL ended its deal with ACES India, and officials say the third-party system was switched off after termination.
  • Limited service for Vodafone Idea and BSNL on some stretches has been affected and could cease, leaving the underground corridor without coverage.
  • Telecom operators rejected the centralized vendor model as commercially unviable due to high fees and proposed installing their own infrastructure instead.
  • MMRCL maintains the neutral-host provider was appointed through a fair, competitive tender and rejects allegations of irregularity.
  • A fresh tender is expected and any fallback build across 27 stations and tunnels will take time, with the corporation also losing an anticipated ₹24 crore in annual revenue.