While the need for better crowd management at and around railway stations has been in focus since the stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station that saw 23 persons die, a skywalk proposed outside Mumbai Central railway station is languishing on paper as a No Objection Certificate is awaited for the project from Western Railway.
BMC's D ward in 2016 had proposed a skywalk from Sane Guruji Marg directly connecting the two railway foot-overbridges (FOB) of Mumbai Central railway station. Around 90m long, the skywalk would have save commuters the trouble of crossing the road, giving them direct access to the railway platform. However, citing feasibility issues, the Western Railway (WR) has not sanctioned the No Objection Certificate.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of D-Ward, Vishwas Mote said, "In the past six months, there has been written communication with the Railways, but due to feasibility issues cited by them, the project didn't take off. The skywalk will help in crowd management outside Mumbai Central railway station. The skywalk was proposed under a comprehensive traffic management project outside the station".
Another civic officer added, "The Western Railway asked for a ticket counter and public toilet on the skywalk which was not part of our project. The proposal has not been scrapped, but has been halted. The skywalk will help reduce traffic snarls outside Mumbai Central railway station. Now all commuters' cross the road at Sane Guruji Marg, which obstructs road traffic. The skywalk will allow commuters to directly join the railway FOB and allow smooth flow of vehicular traffic outside the station".
Commenting on the skywalk proposal, WR spokesperson Ravindra Bhakar said, "I am not aware of this proposal. I will have to check with the concerned department what the reasons are if the proposal is not given the nob by the WR".
According to BMC's presentation, which DNA has been able to access, Mumbai Central railway station has around 7,500 pedestrians from 7 to 10 am, while it has 10,500 pedestrians from 5.30 to 9pm.
BMC already has the provision of Rs 50 lakh in its 2014-15 budget set aside for the proposed skywalk.
NEWS IN NUMBERS
- According to BMC’s presentation, which DNA has been able to access, Mumbai Central railway station has around 7,500 pedestrians from 7 to 10 am, while it has 10,500 pedestrians from 5.30 to 9pm.
- BMC already has the provision of Rs 50 lakh in its 2014-15 budget set aside for the proposed skywalk.
