No choice but to cross tracks

With the Bandra (E) skywalk shut after the Garib Nagar fire, commuters are forced to take the dangerous way to reach the other side

It's been two-and-a-half months since the Bandra east skywalk was gutted in the fire at Garib Nagar. However what is surprising is that even though the repair work commenced after two days, the skywalk is still not functional. The situation is unnerving because the skywalk is the only means to help commuters cross over from the western railway to Bandra east. Furthermore, work has started on the foot over bridges (FoBs) at the station, which has left the public with no option but to cross the railway tracks to go to Bandra east.


Still under construction: It has been two and a half months that the
Bandra East skywalk has been shut, thus affecting connectivity to the
eastern side from the station. File Pic

Rahul Singh, who stays in Bandra east and travels to Churchgate for work, said, "I've to pass through a filthy stretch of road to reach the Harbour line track. Then I've to cross the tracks to go to the platform which connects to the western line via a bridge. I see old ladies crossing the tracks too. It is very dangerous."

No deadline has been issued either by the MMRDA or the Railways on when the repairs will be completed.
"We are being forced to cross the railway tracks and pass through the slums where construction is going on. The stretch is filthy with litter and human waste. But there is no other way to get to Bandra east," complained Simran Kaur, a commuter.

The Irony
Under section 147 of Indian Railways Act, trespassing across railway tracks is punishable offence with a penalty of imprisonment up to six months and or fine up to Rs 1,000. "I do not understand why the railways passed a tender for the maintenance of the railway foot over bridges when there was already a dysfunctional skywalk. The connectivity is getting affected. In a way we are being encouraged to cross tracks," said Jash Trivedi, a commuter.

The Other Side
Dilip Kawatkar, Joint Project Director, MMRDA said, "We cannot start the skywalk unless the railways opens the FoB. We have shut down the skywalk on the request of the Railways. Since, the FoB is dysfunctional, there is no connectivity. Railways would be the right authority to give a date." Sharat Chandrayal, Public Relations Officer for Western Railway said, "We are hopeful that the work of the railway foot over bridge would be completed by the first week of June."