Parel station gets its escalator as Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant finally arrives

Six days after Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant skipped the inauguration of an escalator and elevator facility at Parel station, the facility was finally opened for public on Tuesday after the parliamentarian reached the station and performed the ribbon cutting ceremony. However, for these six days, commuters had to continue using the FOB though the escalator and elevators were ready for use.

On Tuesday, as part of a new year gift for the city, Central Railway's Masjid station also received a new foot overbridge (FOB), the inauguration for which was also done by Sawant.

Sawant was originally supposed to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony at Parel on December 26. However, he skipped the event since he hadn't received a formal invite from the Central Railway. He was scheduled to do the inauguration at 11 am. The Central Railway had even decorated the area with flower bouquets. But Sawant didn't arrive, and it was said that he was unhappy at being informed about the inauguration over the phone, while Central Railway higher-ups were also not available during the inauguration. The escalator and elevator were again closed for public use.

However, sources from Central Railway said a proper invitation was sent this time to the MP, while officers from its Mumbai division were also present for the event.

"The passenger amenities were inaugurated at Parel and Masjid stations on January 1," said Sunil Udasi, chief PRO, Central Railway.

During early evening hours of Tuesday, Central Railway authorities, headed by divisional railway manager SK Jain, along with MP Arvind Sawant, inaugurated these two passenger amenities. The first was the 17-metre-long FOB at Masjid station, which was constructed in a record time of 33 days. The next were the escalator and elevator facilities at Parel-Prabhadevi stations, which were delayed since long and are part of the 12-metre-wide FOB.

SAWANT'S GROUSE

• Sawant said he didn’t receive a formal invite from the Central Railway
   
• He was also upset that being informed over the phone, while CR higher-ups were also not available. 
   
• On Tuesday, however, CR authorities were present. 
   
• CR officials also said a proper invitation was sent this time to the MP