MUMBAI, Nov. 11 -- The city's metro network has recorded two derailments in less than two months, even as new lines near commissioning. Despite the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) publicly describing the September 24 incident as a "minor technical glitch", officials familiar with the matter say that it was caused by a breakdown in communication during a trial run on Metro Line 9. The derailment occurred around 5am, when an empty metro rake was returning to the Charkop depot after overnight testing. During this movement, the train was placed in manual mode and the pilot was authorised to proceed without a signal, an operational condition that requires precise communication and supervision. While crossing toward Ovaripada station, the rake derailed. According to officials familiar with the incident, software-driven signalling is critical at crossover points. "This points towards lack of communication between operations and testing teams," said a senior official. Signalling and telecom tests for Metro Lines 2 and 7, as well as Lines 7A and 9, are being conducted by Alstom. The derailment halted services on Metro 2A and Metro 7 for over five hours, disrupting morning peak-hour travel. The September mishap drew sharper attention in light of the November 5 monorail derailment at Wadala during testing, in which three personnel were injured. In both cases, the MMMOCL publicly described the derailments as minor glitches, while internal assessments indicate more serious operational lapses. MMMOCL did not respond to detailed queries....