End drugs menace near Mulund station: Locals plead with authorities

Empty bottles of liquor strewn near a desolate space behind the buffer of the shunting line. Pics/Rajesh Gupta

Residents of Mulund East have complained of druggie menace near railway tracks and appealed to the railways to take up the matter urgently. They have suggested raising the wall, clearing vegetation, enhancing security and keeping vigil.

"Drug addicts use the desolate space behind the buffer of the shunting line. It is an easy entry-exit point between the railway area and the road. The problem is that it is very close to the station entrance, which is also a predominantly residential area. The railways should raise the height of the wall so that this does not happen," said Prakash Thakker, a local.

The desolate area acts as an easy entry-exit point between the railway area and the road

Another resident and commuter, Gayatri Shah, said the druggies mostly operate in the dark after sunset and jump over onto the road behind Hotel Vihar. "Standing on the station's fast platform, one can see the remains, used bottles and even alcohol bottles," she said.

The shunting neck rail line aligns a dilapidated and unguarded railway colony at one end and an abandoned power sub-station at the other end. Ironically, Mulund East is the hub of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) with its centre and a parade ground.

"It would be dangerous if this activity is ignored for a long time, and it could also lead to a spike in crime in the neighbouring areas. It also raises a concern about safety. Either security should be beefed up or the wall raised so that such things do not continue," another resident, Lambodar Datey said.

"Mulund East has a lot of young students coming in and going as it has a major government Industrial Training Institute besides having other colleges around the same stretch. Such activities leave a wrong impression on them," he added.

Railways have promised action with Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shivaji Sutar saying, "We will actively monitor the area and initiate immediate action."