Unplanned development spells chaos at Ghatkopar station

With increased connectivity comes increased hassles — the saying holds true for Ghatkopar station area. With routes to the most popular destinations —Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Eastern Expressway, Hiranandani Business Park in Powai and Ghatkopar Industrial Estate — passing through the station area, around 4.5 lakh people jostle for space in the area.

Having witnessed major infrastructure development with industrial units and malls dotting the suburb, Ghatkopar acts as a connector to many, especially office-goers. Suburban commuters spend more time reaching the station than on their travel through trains. One such commuter Amarjeet Singh, who resides in Pant Nagar in Ghatkopar says that it takes him more than half-an-hour to reach the station while commuting by train takes only 20 minutes.

The situation is getting worse with each passing day, allege commuters putting the blame on poor planning. "The number of people using Metro is rising, and it will increase in das to come. However, the authorities have not come up with a plan to manage these crowds," says Singh.

Adding to the mess are encroachments on footpaths by hawkers. "Footpaths have either been occupied hawkers or have been blocked for civic works. Clearing hawkers will help pedestrians, which, in turn, will clear the way for vehicles," says Singh.

The stretch near the railway station is in a complete mess during peak hours. Adding to woes at Ghatkopar (W) is the road flooded with disorderly parked autorickshaws, making commute difficult during peak hours, commuters have complained.

"The demand for autorickshaws is high due to huge footfall at the station. As a result, the crowd spills on roads to board autos after a train arrives at the station. Also, the hawkers have to be shifted to another place to address the issue of congestion," says Dipu Tiwari, another resident of Ghatkopar.

In a bid to get passengers the autorickshaw drivers stop their vehicle anywhere, creating chaos on the roads. If asked to park their autos on one side of the road, the drivers tend to pick fights with commuters.

Share auto rickshaw ply to four different areas from the station. Commuters suggest that segregation of share auto services depending on the destinations might help in decongestion, and these vehicles would not obstruct the station gate.

Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College is just a stone's throw away from the station adding to the rush during the daytime. Like hundreds of students of the college, Rohit Pal finds crossing the road to enter the college is a risky challenge they undertake every day.

Ghatkopar is in close proximity of industrial units. Though many of these units have shut down, they have been replaced with multinational companies. "Only nature of work has changed. The influx of people continues," said Jitendra Gupta, a transport expert.

Unlike Ghatkopar west, the east side seems better managed. Virat Shah, a resident of Pant Nagar says, "The east is dotted with residential areas more than commercial complexes. The scenario here, is thus, a little better." However, the area remains in the grip of traffic chaos during peak hours.

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

4.5 lakhs Daily footfall at Ghatkopar station

• Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro
• R City Mall
• Eastern Express Highway
• Ghatkopar Industrial Estate in Amrut Nagar
• Hindu Mahasabha Hospital
• Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College
• Bandra-Kurla Complex

MAJOR HURDLES

• Traffic congestion 
• Disorderly parked autorickshaws
• Encroachment of footpath 
• Unmaintained footpath 
• Hawkers
• Illegal parking

CITIZEN CHATTER

The unending chaos around the station is due to lack of proper planning. After Metro became operational, the administration did not pay heed to basic needs like a walkable place and proper traffic management. During peak hours, it is almost impossible to navigate through footpath occupied by hawkers.
— Amarjeet Singh, Ghatkopar

O f late, the situation has deteriorated due to poor management. There is no control over autos, they occupy the entire road and there is hardly any space to walk. Auto drivers stop their vehicles anywhere, creating chaos on the roads
— Nisha Sunil , Ghatkopar

The RTO and traffic department have no control over autorickshaws at Ghatkopar. Autorickshaws plying on different routes halt at the same place making it difficult for commuters to figure out which auto to board
— Bhushan Nikam, Mulund

The RTO and traffic department have no control over autorickshaws at Ghatkopar. Autorickshaws plying on different routes halt at the same place making it difficult for commuters to figure out which auto to board
— Bhushan Nikam, Mulund

COPSPEAK

The number of autorickshaws in a queue cannot be more than what is permitted. We will check if there is a display board at auto-rickshaw stands or not. We will also ensure that autorickshaws do not occupy roads and that there is enough space for traffic movement.
— Shahji Umap, deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), Zone 6

EXPERT OPINION

The RTO and traffic department have no control over autorickshaws at Ghatkopar. Autorickshaws plying on different routes halt at the same place making it difficult for commuters to figure out which auto to board
— Bhushan Nikam, Mulund