Mumbai: Locals use Twitter, banners to raise Khar subway issue

Traffic jams and waterlogging are a regular affair at the Khar subway

Back in 2016, the Western Railway authorities and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had conducted a survey for constructing a rail over-bridge (ROB) above the Khar subway, as the underpass has been in a dilapidated condition for quite some time. However, the plan is still far from being conceptualised. With the condition of the subway deteriorating with every passing day, resident associations have now taken to Twitter to air their grievances and have also put up banners outside society gates to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. Further, they have also threatened to move court if appropriate relief was not given.

Citizens and resident associations have claimed that the stretch of the Khar subway needs immediate infrastructural development and a structural audit too. The authorities concerned had said that widening and revamp of the subway was impractical, and hence had conducted a survey for an ROB in 2016. A rough design of the bridge was included in the Development Plan as well but the plan is yet to be implemented, said members of some associations.

Complaints and representations from residents living on both the western and eastern sides over the past 40 years have fallen on deaf ears. Now the Mumbai North Central District Forum (MNCDF) and Santacruz East Residents Association (SERA) have joined hands to raise the issue aggressively and approach the Bombay High Court if needed.

Speaking to mid-day, Advocate Trivankumar Karnani, founder of MNCDF, said, "The population in the area has increased over the years, towers have come up on both sides but the subway continues to be in a dilapidated condition. This leads to a lot of traffic jams in the area causing noise and air pollution, and in turn deteriorating the health of residents. In view of this, the MNCDF and SERA stand by the local residents and have come together to create awareness and push the authorities to formulate a plan for redressal of our problems."

Residents have put up banners at society gates to raise the issue

One of MNCDF's tweets said, "Residents around Khar Subway on the West or East side, who are frustrated with the lack of political will and inaction of the administration, govt & representatives, please DM us our team will visit & install a banner in your premises!"

2016
Yr WR and BMC had done a survey for constructing an ROB