Read on to find out what our ground check of the recently inaugurated Metro brought forth
INTRO:
@7_Poojapatel
Just over a month since the Metro started operating, we find that it has been plagued by a number of problems. It broke down within two hours of its inauguration; one of the stations had to be closed during peak hours in the evening as the staff could not handle the crowd; a technical snag led to commuters being unable to come out of the station for half an hour; and services were disrupted because of a trespasser on the tracks.
Malad-resident Ekata Shukla says, "Though the Metro is a welcome change and an addition to the mode of transportation in Mumbai, the frustrating part is the maddening crowd. In fact, the staff at Andheri station were unable to manage the crowd when the automatic gate went off time and again."
Residents living on the stretch between Versova and Azad Nagar have been complaining about the Metro since its construction. Pinakin Shah, resident of Andheri, shares, "Before the trains were fully operational, it made a continuous, screeching noise. This gave us sleepless nights. Even now, the noise is disturbing, especially early in the morning around 4 a.m., when the trains undergo trial runs from Versova station."
The monsoon has worsened the situation. Water from the washrooms of the Metro stations between Andheri and Airport Road had been seeping onto the roads, making the place unhygienic and foul-smelling. Though this was immediately brought to the notice of authorities, action was taken only after a week.
Privacy of residents around the area is yet another issue. Versova-resident Pranjal Sharma says, "The Metro station is very close to my first floor apartment. I have to keep the windows shut as I have seen commuters peeping in. It is worse on weekends, not just because of the crowd but also due to people loitering around. Road romeos here have brought down the safety quotient of this area to zero."
Residents also complain about the hawkers who have taken over the areas below the Metro stations. Though the police officials try to keep a check on them, the hawkers inevitably return. Sharma adds, "We are apprehensive that this may lead to the proliferation of chain-snatching and other petty crimes."
pooja.patel@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}