DNA EXCLUSIVE: Maha CM-led panel to play role in making Mumbai's rail stations safer and better

Nearly four months after 23 people were crushed to death on an overcrowded bridge at Elphinstone Road Station, the state has formed a panel headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to join the Railways' efforts in making Mumbai's local stations safer and better.

The government has set up a Cabinet sub-committee, also comprising Education Minister Vinod Tawde and Transport Minister Diwakar Raote, with a mandate to review the present status of safety at the stations, foot overbridges, and suggest measures for improvement.

The stampede of September 29, 2017 had sparked a public outcry against government apathy towards issues like congestion and narrow and fewer FOBs at stations. This had prompted the Railways to rope in the Army to build a bridge at the north end of Elphinstone Road station connecting to Parel station.

According to a state official, the January 19 government notification on the formation of the sub-committee coincides with the work being carried out by the Army at Elphinstone Road. "In addition to this, the Army personnel installed girders for a foot overbridge at the Ambivli station two days ago."

Following his recent meeting with Fadnavis, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had said that the Railway Board would consider all proposals and projects proposed by the state government for modernisation of city stations.

FOBs have now been made mandatory at all stations, Goyal had said. The Railways has approved widening of 13 FOBs and 10 new bridges on the Western Railway. Twenty new FOBs on the Central Railway will also be built in a time-bound manner, he had said.

The state official said, "The Railways in close coordination and cooperation with the state government has taken a series of steps to upgrade the facilities at all stations.'' The authorities have decided to upgrade on priority several stations, including the ones at Lower Parel, Khar Road, Goregaon, Meera Road, Virar, Ghatkopar, Dombivali, Nallasopara, Mulund, Bhayander, Bhandup, Wadala, Sion and Chembur.

He said additional escalators have already been sanctioned for Mumbai's crowded suburban stations in the initial phase and the facility will be gradually extended to all high traffic stations.

ON PRIORITY LIST

• Authorities have decided to upgrade on priority stations including Lower Parel, Khar Rd, Goregaon, Meera Rd, Virar, Ghatkopar, Dombivali, Nallasopara, Mulund, Bhayander, Bhandup, Wadala, Sion and Chembur
   
• More escalators have been sanctioned for crowded stations