Both the zonal railways have identified locations, prepared a basic plan and estimate, and sent the proposals to the railway board in New Delhi.
Escalators at suburban stations in the city would soon be a reality. To begin with, the railways has zeroed in on five stations: Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Andheri and Borivli.
Both the zonal railways have identified locations, prepared a basic plan and estimate, and sent the proposals to the railway board in New Delhi. The board will now call for tenders and start work for the project.
“There are over 100 such escalators being planned for stations across India. The working and basic infrastructure of escalators at railway stations would be standardised for the railway stations,” a top official said, adding that the five stations will have two escalators each.
CR chief spokesperson SC Mudgerikar and WR spokesperson Sharat Chandrayan confirmed that the proposals had been sent to the railway board for final approvals.
Ranjan Das, a commuter from Borivli, said if escalators could work at airports where all kinds of people travel, what is the harm of trying them at railway stations?
Railway officials said that the company that will install the escalators would train railway staff in handling the machines.
Transport specialist with World Bank Arun Mokashi, who was instrumental in reviving the transport infrastructure of Afghanistan after the war, said: “Escalators are necessary and they will be a boon to senior citizens. The bridges will always remain there, but escalators would help many. The railways should have done it earlier. When we talk of upgrading the infrastructure, these things are bound to come. Initially, there would be problems. We cannot slowdown due to such fears. It is a welcome sign and the railway should get them.”
IIT civil engineer and transport analyst Sudhir Badami said: “The railways should select those stations where track crossings are more so that they can help reduce deaths. Escalators will help in quick dispersal of crowd. I do not think it would be a big problem with commuters.”
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