Gaping issue at Sandhurst station to be resolved

The gaping space between a train and platform at Sandhurst Road

Ten days after mid-day highlighted the gap between the platform and train at Sandhurst Road station, Central Railway officials have begun work on raising the height of platform no. 1 at its sharp curve. Officials said the existing height of 840 mm will be raised to 900 mm to fill the gap, and this will be done by January.

Officials said the station had a peculiar curve and the height was frequently raised during regular maintenance and due to flooding issues.

mid-day visited the station and found that all the material required to fill the gap had been brought to the site and basic measurements were being taken. "It will need to be done cautiously given the fact that it is an island platform with trains coming on either side and it will mostly have to be taken up during non-peak hours and nights when there are no people at the platform," a senior official said.

The height will be raised with concrete slabs and then the concretised surface will be paved with tiles. Officials said that they would also study the heights of platforms at other stations and will raise them if it is found inappropriate. "It is a continuous process before monsoon as part of flood preparation and for smooth functioning of trains. Rail tracks are raised at low-lying areas. Many times this leads to the gap issue at platforms," he added.