Subway offers hope in congested South Mumbai

The heavy congestion you see around Mohammed Ali Road could be a thing of the past if a proposal put up by citizens in South Mumbai goes to plan. A subway could zig-zag from Masjid Bunder railway station up to Abdul Rehman Street, decongesting the entire stretch that witnesses average footfalls of at least 2 lakh a day.
A citizens' body, Mumbai 3 Beautification Association, on Tuesday handed over a blueprint of the proposed underpass to mayor Sunil Prabhu. The city municipality will carry out a feasibility study for the proposal and if it throws up positive feedback, this subway – proposed to snake along 500 metres – could be the city's longest.
According to the proposal, the subway will run beneath Yusuf Meharali Road passing through Mohammed Ali Road, connecting 12 wholesale markets on more than 30 roads, six mosques, a few temples including Mumbadevi temple and a century-old Jain temple.
The stretch also has a few hospitals, commercial establishments and a municipal market. As the area sees many visitors, the number of vehicles and hawkers goes up proportionately and only adds to traffic congestion, making it difficult for the police to regulate traffic.
The mayor said this subway will be an important project for the city in terms of decongesting roads in the vicinity which sees heavy footfalls. "We will ensure that the civic administration takes up this project. We will factor in budgetary provision in the next budget," said Prabhu.
He said that the municipality's roads and bridges department will be asked to conduct a feasibility study for the proposal.
"The blueprint has specifics of the infrastructure project, including possible outlets. Our officials will verify the feasibility," said Prabhu.
A senior municipal official described the proposed project as "the need of the hour which will prove to be a boon for people", adding that the work can begin after the municipal commissioner approves the proposal.